PI-kinase inhibitors with broad spectrum anti-infective activity

ABSTRACT

Compounds and methods are provided for the treatment of pathogen infections. In some embodiments, the anti-infective compounds have broad spectrum activity against a variety of infective diseases, where the diseases are caused by pathogens containing a basic amino acid PIP-2 pincer (BAAPP) domain that interacts with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP-2) to mediate pathogen replication. Also provided are methods of inhibiting a PI4-kinase and methods of inhibiting viral infection. In some embodiments, the compound is a PI4-kinase inhibiting compound that is a 5-aryl-thiazole. The subject compounds may be formulated or provided to a subject in combination with a second anti-infective agent, e.g. interferon, ribivarin, and the like.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119 (e), this application claims priority to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/543,538, filed Oct. 5, 2011.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was made with Government support under grants T32 DK007056, T32 AI007502-14 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to methods and compounds for treatment of pathogen infections.

BACKGROUND

The rapid rise in the number of emerging pathogens in the world's population represents a serious global health problem and underscores the need to develop broad spectrum anti-infectives that target common components of large classes of pathogens.

For example, it is estimated that more than 2% of the world's population is currently infected with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). One of the outstanding characteristics of HCV is its ability to establish chronic infections in 65-80% of infected patients. Chronic infection with HCV can lead to serious sequelae including chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma—usually manifested 10, 20 and 25 years respectively after the initial infection. End stage liver disease from HCV has become the leading indication for liver transplantation in North America, and it has been suggested that there will be a 2-3 fold increase in liver transplantation in 10 years as a result of cirrhosis from hepatitis C.

Broad spectrum anti-infective agents for use in treating various infective diseases are of interest. Also of interest are anti-infective agents for specifically treating one or more pathogen caused infective diseases, such as HCV.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Compounds and methods are provided for the treatment of pathogen infections, which include, without limitation, viruses and other pathogens that utilize intracellular replication mechanisms, e.g. hepatitis C virus (HCV), Plasmodium falciparum, rhinovirus, and the like. In some embodiments, the anti-infective compounds have broad spectrum activity against a variety of infective diseases, where the diseases are caused by pathogens containing a basic amino acid PIP2 pincer (BAAPP) domain that interacts with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂) to mediate replication.

Also provided are methods of inhibiting a PI4-kinase and methods of inhibiting viral infection in a subject. In some embodiments, the compound is a PI4-kinase inhibiting compound that is a 5-aryl-thiazole, e.g., as described herein. In certain embodiments the compound is a 2-amino-5-phenylthiazole compound. The subject compounds may be formulated or provided to a subject in combination with one or more additional anti-infective agents, e.g. interferon, ribavirin, and the like. For treatment of viruses such as HCV, the compounds may be formulated to specifically target the liver, e.g. by conjugation with polyarginine or a bile acid, or as pro-drugs designed to be activated by enzymes resident in the liver.

These and other advantages, and features of the disclosure will become apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading the details of the compositions and methods of use, which are more fully described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates that the exemplary compound PT423 decreases PI(4)P (top panels) and PI(4,5)P₂ (bottom panels) in a dose-dependent manner. Left panels: uninfected Huh7.5 cells; right panels: HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells. Cells were treated with the indicated concentrations of PT423 or vehicle control, and analyzed by immunofluorescence with antibodies to PI(4)P or PI(4,5)P₂ (green) along with an antibody to calnexin (red) to control for ER morphology.

FIG. 2 illustrates the major metabolites identified for the exemplary compound PT423 in a microsome assay.

DEFINITIONS

Before embodiments of the present disclosure are further described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “and”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a compound” includes not only a single compound but also a combination of two or more compounds, reference to “a substituent” includes a single substituent as well as two or more substituents, and the like.

In describing and claiming the present invention, certain terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. It will be appreciated that the definitions provided herein are not intended to be mutually exclusive. Accordingly, some chemical moieties may fall within the definition of more than one term.

As used herein, the phrases “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” or “including” are meant to introduce examples that further clarify more general subject matter. These examples are provided only as an aid for understanding the disclosure, and are not meant to be limiting in any fashion.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

The Basic Amino Acid PIP2 Pincer (BAAPP) domain, as described by Glenn et al., “PIP-2 Inhibition-Based Antiviral and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Therapies” WO2009/148541, and which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, provides a mechanism by which a protein or peptide recognizes (including but not limited to binding, as well as activation or suppression of activity) PIP2 (phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2], PI(4,5)P2). Alterations or variations of the BAAPP domain may result in recognition of other phosphatidylinositol variants.

Phosphoinositides, such as phosphatidylinositol (PI)-4-phosphate (PI(4)P) and PI-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂, or “PIP2”), are enriched in various specific plasma membrane and intracellular locations. The steady state location and abundance of specific PI isoform pools within the cell is regulated by a family of PI-kinases and phosphatases. There are least 4 human PI4-kinases, with family members PI4KIIIα and PI4KIIIβ being primarily localized to ER and Golgi-derived membranes where they contribute to the PI(4)P and PI(4,5)P₂ pools associated with these membranes, and with family members PI4KIIα and PI4KIIβ contributing primarily to other pools.

The BAAPP domain mediates specific interaction with PIP2, resulting in a conformational change in the BAAPP domain that affects a key pathogen regulator. In HCV, replication complexes are established at intracellular PIP2-enriched sites, and point mutations in the BAAPP domain abrogate PIP2 binding and HCV RNA replication. Such critical dependence on PIP2 is widespread among pathogens. Targeting specific intracellular PIP2 pools by siRNA-mediated knockdown of enzymes responsible for PIP2 production—such as PI4KIIIα and PI4KIIIβ—abrogates HCV replication, yet is well tolerated by the host cell.

Molecules that inhibit the enzymatic pathways responsible for production of PIP-2 are of interest for use in the methods of the disclosure. Such inhibitors include, without limitation, inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase III alpha (see, for example Berger et al. (2009) PNAS 106:7577-7582, herein specifically incorporated by reference) and inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase III beta.

BAAPP domains have been identified in multiple organisms, including but not limited to pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, as well as hosts, such as the human. BAAPP domain peptides, molecules that mimic the BAAPP domain, enzymes involved in PIP-2 metabolism, and molecules that inhibit or activate the BAAPP domain act in treating infectious diseases as well as affecting host physiology or pathophysiology.

Examples of proteins having a BAAPP domain include, without limitation, the 2C protein of Picornaviridae, Rhinovirus 14, Rhinovirus B, Rhinovirus C, PolioVirus, Enterovirus A, Enterovirus B, Enterovirus C, Enterovirus D, Enterovirus 71, and Coxsackie A virus 18. The core protein of Japanese Encephalitis Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Virus 1, Dengue Virus 2, Dengue Virus 3, and Dengue Virus 4 have BAAPP domains, as does the P. falciparum PfNDH2 protein. In the Flaviviridae, the NS4B AH 1 of HCV; the NS5A protein of HCV which has a BAAPP domain that comprises the conserved lysine residues at residue 20 and 26 of the processed protein, for example a peptide with the amino acid sequence SGSWLRDVWDWICTVLTDFKTWLQSKLL (SEQ ID NO:1) that includes the lysine residues K20 and K26. Other BAAPP-domain harboring pathogens include HAV, Vaccinia, Ebola virus, F. Tularensis, influenza virus polymerase protein, Variola major (smallpox), Sin Nombre virus (hantavirus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, CMV.

NS5 encoding viruses include without limitation flaviviruses, pestiviruses and hepatitis C viruses, e.g. yellow fever virus (YFV); Dengue virus, including Dengue types 1-4; Japanese Encephalitis virus; Murray Valley Encephalitis virus; St. Louis Encephalitis virus; West Nile virus; tick-borne encephalitis virus; Hepatitis C virus; Kunjin virus; Central European encephalitis virus; Russian spring-summer encephalitis virus; Powassan virus; Kyasanur Forest disease virus; and Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus.

By “Flaviviridae virus” is meant any virus of the Flaviviridae family, including those viruses that infect humans and non-human animals. The polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences encoding these viruses are well known in the art, and may be found at NCBI's GenBank database, e.g., as Genbank Accession numbers NC_004102, AB031663, D11355, D11168, AJ238800, NC_001809, NC_001437, NC_004355 NC_004119, NC_003996, NC_003690, NC_003687, NC_003675, NC_003676, NC_003218, NC_001563, NC_000943, NC_003679, NC_003678, NC_003677, NC_002657, NC_002032, and NC_001461, the contents of which database entries are incorporated by references herein in their entirety.

The terms “active agent,” “antagonist”, “inhibitor”, “drug” and “pharmacologically active agent” are used interchangeably herein to refer to a chemical material or compound which, when administered to an organism (human or animal) induces a desired pharmacologic and/or physiologic effect by local and/or systemic action.

As used herein, the terms “treatment,” “treating,” and the like, refer to obtaining a desired pharmacologic and/or physiologic effect, such as reduction of viral titer. The effect may be prophylactic in terms of completely or partially preventing a disease or symptom thereof and/or may be therapeutic in terms of a partial or complete cure for a disease and/or adverse affect attributable to the disease. “Treatment,” as used herein, covers any treatment of a disease in a mammal, particularly in a human, and includes: (a) preventing the disease or a symptom of a disease from occurring in a subject which may be predisposed to the disease but has not yet been diagnosed as having it (e.g., including diseases that may be associated with or caused by a primary disease (as in liver fibrosis that can result in the context of chronic HCV infection); (b) inhibiting the disease, i.e., arresting its development; and (c) relieving the disease, i.e., causing regression of the disease (e.g., reduction in viral titers).

The terms “individual,” “host,” “subject,” and “patient” are used interchangeably herein, and refer to an animal, including, but not limited to, human and non-human primates, including simians and humans; rodents, including rats and mice; bovines; equines; ovines; felines; canines; and the like. “Mammal” means a member or members of any mammalian species, and includes, by way of example, canines; felines; equines; bovines; ovines; rodentia, etc. and primates, e.g., non-human primates, and humans. Non-human animal models, e.g., mammals, e.g. non-human primates, murines, lagomorpha, etc. may be used for experimental investigations.

As used herein, the terms “determining,” “measuring,” “assessing,” and “assaying” are used interchangeably and include both quantitative and qualitative determinations.

The terms “polypeptide” and “protein”, used interchangeably herein, refer to a polymeric form of amino acids of any length, which can include coded and non-coded amino acids, chemically or biochemically modified or derivatized amino acids, and polypeptides having modified peptide backbones. The term includes fusion proteins, including, but not limited to, fusion proteins with a heterologous amino acid sequence, fusions with heterologous and native leader sequences, with or without N-terminal methionine residues; immunologically tagged proteins; fusion proteins with detectable fusion partners, e.g., fusion proteins including as a fusion partner a fluorescent protein, β-galactosidase, luciferase, etc.; and the like.

The terms “nucleic acid molecule” and “polynucleotide” are used interchangeably and refer to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides, or analogs thereof. Polynucleotides may have any three-dimensional structure, and may perform any function, known or unknown. Non-limiting examples of polynucleotides include a gene, a gene fragment, exons, introns, messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, ribozymes, cDNA, recombinant polynucleotides, branched polynucleotides, plasmids, vectors, isolated DNA of any sequence, control regions, isolated RNA of any sequence, nucleic acid probes, and primers. The nucleic acid molecule may be linear or circular.

A “therapeutically effective amount” or “efficacious amount” means the amount of a compound that, when administered to a mammal or other subject for treating a disease, condition, or disorder, is sufficient to effect such treatment for the disease, condition, or disorder. The “therapeutically effective amount” will vary depending on the compound, the disease and its severity and the age, weight, etc., of the subject to be treated.

The term “unit dosage form,” as used herein, refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human and animal subjects, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of a compound (e.g., an aminopyrimidine compound, as described herein) calculated in an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier or vehicle. The specifications for unit dosage forms depend on the particular compound employed and the effect to be achieved, and the pharmacodynamics associated with each compound in the host.

A “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient,” “pharmaceutically acceptable diluent,” “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,” and “pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant” means an excipient, diluent, carrier, and adjuvant that are useful in preparing a pharmaceutical composition that are generally safe, non-toxic and neither biologically nor otherwise undesirable, and include an excipient, diluent, carrier, and adjuvant that are acceptable for veterinary use as well as human pharmaceutical use. “A pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent, carrier and adjuvant” as used in the specification and claims includes both one and more than one such excipient, diluent, carrier, and adjuvant.

As used herein, a “pharmaceutical composition” is meant to encompass a composition suitable for administration to a subject, such as a mammal, especially a human. In general a “pharmaceutical composition” is sterile, and preferably free of contaminants that are capable of eliciting an undesirable response within the subject (e.g., the compound(s) in the pharmaceutical composition is pharmaceutical grade). Pharmaceutical compositions can be designed for administration to subjects or patients in need thereof via a number of different routes of administration including oral, buccal, rectal, parenteral, intraperitoneal, intradermal, intracheal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and the like.

As used herein, the phrase “having the formula” or “having the structure” is not intended to be limiting and is used in the same way that the term “comprising” is commonly used. The term “independently selected from” is used herein to indicate that the recited elements, e.g., R groups or the like, can be identical or different.

As used herein, the terms “may,” “optional,” “optionally,” or “may optionally” mean that the subsequently described circumstance may or may not occur, so that the description includes instances where the circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. For example, the phrase “optionally substituted” means that a non-hydrogen substituent may or may not be present on a given atom, and, thus, the description includes structures wherein a non-hydrogen substituent is present and structures wherein a non-hydrogen substituent is not present.

The term “alkyl” as used herein refers to a branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon group (i.e., a mono-radical) typically although not necessarily containing 1 to about 24 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, octyl, decyl, and the like, as well as cycloalkyl groups such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like. Generally, although not necessarily, alkyl groups herein may contain 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, and such groups may contain 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. The term “lower alkyl” intends an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms. “Substituted alkyl” refers to alkyl substituted with one or more substituent groups, and this includes instances wherein two hydrogen atoms from the same carbon atom in an alkyl substituent are replaced, such as in a carbonyl group (i.e., a substituted alkyl group may include a —C(═O)— moiety). The terms “heteroatom-containing alkyl” and “heteroalkyl” refer to an alkyl substituent in which at least one carbon atom is replaced with a heteroatom, as described in further detail infra. If not otherwise indicated, the terms “alkyl” and “lower alkyl” include linear, branched, cyclic, unsubstituted, substituted, and/or heteroatom-containing alkyl or lower alkyl, respectively.

The term “alkenyl” as used herein refers to a linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group of 2 to about 24 carbon atoms containing at least one double bond, such as ethenyl, n-propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, octenyl, decenyl, tetradecenyl, hexadecenyl, eicosenyl, tetracosenyl, and the like. Generally, although again not necessarily, alkenyl groups herein may contain 2 to about 18 carbon atoms, and for example may contain 2 to 12 carbon atoms. The term “lower alkenyl” intends an alkenyl group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms. The term “substituted alkenyl” refers to alkenyl substituted with one or more substituent groups, and the terms “heteroatom-containing alkenyl” and “heteroalkenyl” refer to alkenyl in which at least one carbon atom is replaced with a heteroatom. If not otherwise indicated, the terms “alkenyl” and “lower alkenyl” include linear, branched, cyclic, unsubstituted, substituted, and/or heteroatom-containing alkenyl and lower alkenyl, respectively.

The term “alkynyl” as used herein refers to a linear or branched hydrocarbon group of 2 to 24 carbon atoms containing at least one triple bond, such as ethynyl, n-propynyl, and the like. Generally, although again not necessarily, alkynyl groups herein may contain 2 to about 18 carbon atoms, and such groups may further contain 2 to 12 carbon atoms. The term “lower alkynyl” intends an alkynyl group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms. The term “substituted alkynyl” refers to alkynyl substituted with one or more substituent groups, and the terms “heteroatom-containing alkynyl” and “heteroalkynyl” refer to alkynyl in which at least one carbon atom is replaced with a heteroatom. If not otherwise indicated, the terms “alkynyl” and “lower alkynyl” include linear, branched, unsubstituted, substituted, and/or heteroatom-containing alkynyl and lower alkynyl, respectively.

The term “alkoxy” as used herein intends an alkyl group bound through a single, terminal ether linkage; that is, an “alkoxy” group may be represented as —O-alkyl where alkyl is as defined above. A “lower alkoxy” group intends an alkoxy group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and includes, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, t-butyloxy, etc. Substituents identified as “C1-C6 alkoxy” or “lower alkoxy” herein may, for example, may contain 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and as a further example, such substituents may contain 1 or 2 carbon atoms (i.e., methoxy and ethoxy).

The term “aryl” as used herein, and unless otherwise specified, refers to an aromatic substituent generally, although not necessarily, containing 5 to 30 carbon atoms and containing a single aromatic ring or multiple aromatic rings that are fused together, directly linked, or indirectly linked (such that the different aromatic rings are bound to a common group such as a methylene or ethylene moiety). Aryl groups may, for example, contain 5 to 20 carbon atoms, and as a further example, aryl groups may contain 5 to 12 carbon atoms. For example, aryl groups may contain one aromatic ring or two or more fused or linked aromatic rings (i.e., biaryl, aryl-substituted aryl, etc.). Examples include phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, diphenylether, diphenylamine, benzophenone, and the like. “Substituted aryl” refers to an aryl moiety substituted with one or more substituent groups, and the terms “heteroatom-containing aryl” and “heteroaryl” refer to aryl substituent, in which at least one carbon atom is replaced with a heteroatom, as will be described in further detail infra. Aryl is intended to include stable cyclic, heterocyclic, polycyclic, and polyheterocyclic unsaturated C₃-C₁₄ moieties, exemplified but not limited to phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, furyl, thiophenyl, imidazoyl, pyrimidinyl, and oxazoyl; which may further be substituted with one to five members selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, C₁-C₈ alkoxy, C₁-C₈ branched or straight-chain alkyl, acyloxy, carbamoyl, amino, N-acylamino, nitro, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, and carboxyl (see e.g. Katritzky, Handbook of Heterocyclic Chemistry). If not otherwise indicated, the term “aryl” includes unsubstituted, substituted, and/or heteroatom-containing aromatic substituents.

The term “aralkyl” refers to an alkyl group with an aryl substituent, and the term “alkaryl” refers to an aryl group with an alkyl substituent, wherein “alkyl” and “aryl” are as defined above. In general, aralkyl and alkaryl groups herein contain 6 to 30 carbon atoms. Aralkyl and alkaryl groups may, for example, contain 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and as a further example, such groups may contain 6 to 12 carbon atoms.

The term “alkylene” as used herein refers to a di-radical alkyl group. Unless otherwise indicated, such groups include saturated hydrocarbon chains containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, which may be substituted or unsubstituted, may contain one or more alicyclic groups, and may be heteroatom-containing. “Lower alkylene” refers to alkylene linkages containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples include, methylene (—CH2-), ethylene (—CH2CH2-), propylene (—CH2CH2CH2-), 2-methylpropylene (—CH2-CH(CH3)-CH2-), hexylene (—(CH2)6-) and the like.

Similarly, the terms “alkenylene,” “alkynylene,” “arylene,” “aralkylene,” and “alkarylene” as used herein refer to di-radical alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, and alkaryl groups, respectively.

The term “amino” is used herein to refer to the group —NRR′ wherein R and R′ are independently hydrogen or nonhydrogen substituents, with nonhydrogen substituents including, for example, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, aralkyl, and substituted and/or heteroatom-containing variants thereof.

The terms “halo” and “halogen” are used in the conventional sense to refer to a chloro, bromo, fluoro or iodo substituent.

The term “heteroatom-containing” as in a “heteroatom-containing alkyl group” (also termed a “heteroalkyl” group) or a “heteroatom-containing aryl group” (also termed a “heteroaryl” group) refers to a molecule, linkage or substituent in which one or more carbon atoms are replaced with an atom other than carbon, e.g., nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus or silicon, typically nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. Similarly, the term “heteroalkyl” refers to an alkyl substituent that is heteroatom-containing, the terms “heterocyclic” or “heterocycle” refer to a cyclic substituent that is heteroatom-containing, the terms “heteroaryl” and “heteroaromatic” respectively refer to “aryl” and “aromatic” substituents that are heteroatom-containing, and the like. Examples of heteroalkyl groups include alkoxyaryl, alkylsulfanyl-substituted alkyl, N-alkylated amino alkyl, and the like. Examples of heteroaryl substituents include pyrrolyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyridinyl, quinolinyl, indolyl, furyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, tetrazolyl, etc., and examples of heteroatom-containing alicyclic groups are pyrrolidino, morpholino, piperazino, piperidino, tetrahydrofuranyl, etc.

As used herein, the terms “Heterocycle,” “heterocyclic,” “heterocycloalkyl,” and “heterocyclyl” refer to a saturated or unsaturated group having a single ring or multiple condensed rings, including fused bridged and spiro ring systems, and having from 3 to 15 ring atoms, including 1 to 4 hetero atoms. These ring atoms are selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen, wherein, in fused ring systems, one or more of the rings can be cycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, provided that the point of attachment is through the non-aromatic ring. In certain embodiments, the nitrogen and/or sulfur atom(s) of the heterocyclic group are optionally oxidized to provide for the N-oxide, —S(O)—, or —SO₂— moieties.

Examples of heterocycle and heteroaryls include, but are not limited to, azetidine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, indolizine, isoindole, indole, dihydroindole, indazole, purine, quinolizine, isoquinoline, quinoline, phthalazine, naphthylpyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, pteridine, carbazole, carboline, phenanthridine, acridine, phenanthroline, isothiazole, phenazine, isoxazole, phenoxazine, phenothiazine, imidazolidine, imidazoline, piperidine, piperazine, indoline, phthalimide, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene, thiazole, thiazolidine, thiophene, benzo[b]thiophene, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl (also referred to as thiamorpholinyl), 1,1-dioxothiomorpholinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidine, tetrahydrofuranyl, and the like.

Unless otherwise constrained by the definition for the heterocyclic substituent, such heterocyclic groups can be optionally substituted with 1 to 5, or from 1 to 3 substituents, selected from alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl, —SO₂-heteroaryl, and fused heterocycle.

“Hydrocarbyl” refers to univalent hydrocarbyl radicals containing 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, including 1 to about 24 carbon atoms, further including 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, and further including about 1 to 12 carbon atoms, including linear, branched, cyclic, saturated and unsaturated species, such as alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups, and the like. A hydrocarbyl may be substituted with one or more substituent groups. The term “heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl” refers to hydrocarbyl in which at least one carbon atom is replaced with a heteroatom. Unless otherwise indicated, the term “hydrocarbyl” is to be interpreted as including substituted and/or heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl moieties.

By “substituted” as in “substituted hydrocarbyl,” “substituted alkyl,” “substituted aryl,” and the like, as alluded to in some of the aforementioned definitions, is meant that in the hydrocarbyl, alkyl, aryl, or other moiety, at least one hydrogen atom bound to a carbon (or other) atom is replaced with one or more non-hydrogen substituents. Examples of such substituents include, without limitation, functional groups, and the hydrocarbyl moieties C1-C24 alkyl (including C1-C18 alkyl, further including C1-C12 alkyl, and further including C1-C6 alkyl), C2-C24 alkenyl (including C2-C18 alkenyl, further including C2-C12 alkenyl, and further including C2-C6 alkenyl), C2-C24 alkynyl (including C2-C18 alkynyl, further including C2-C12 alkynyl, and further including C2-C6 alkynyl), C5-C30 aryl (including C5-C20 aryl, and further including C5-C12 aryl), and C6-C30 aralkyl (including C6-C20 aralkyl, and further including C6-C12 aralkyl). The above-mentioned hydrocarbyl moieties may be further substituted with one or more functional groups or additional hydrocarbyl moieties such as those specifically enumerated. Unless otherwise indicated, any of the groups described herein are to be interpreted as including substituted and/or heteroatom-containing moieties, in addition to unsubstituted groups.

By the term “functional groups” is meant chemical groups such as halo, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, C1-C24 alkoxy, C2-C24 alkenyloxy, C2-C24 alkynyloxy, C5-C20 aryloxy, acyl (including C2-C24 alkylcarbonyl (—CO-alkyl) and C6-C20 arylcarbonyl (—CO-aryl)), acyloxy (—O-acyl), C2-C24 alkoxycarbonyl (—(CO)—O-alkyl), C6-C20 aryloxycarbonyl (—(CO)—O-aryl), halocarbonyl (—CO)—X where X is halo), C2-C24 alkylcarbonato (—O—(CO)—O-alkyl), C6-C20 arylcarbonato (—O—(CO)—O-aryl), carboxy (—COOH), carboxylato (—COO—), carbamoyl (—(CO)—NH2), mono-substituted C1-C24 alkylcarbamoyl (—(CO)—NH(C1-C24 alkyl)), di-substituted alkylcarbamoyl (—(CO)—N(C1-C24 alkyl)2), mono-substituted arylcarbamoyl (—(CO)—NH-aryl), thiocarbamoyl (—(CS)—NH2), carbamido (—NH—(CO)—NH2), cyano (—C≡N), isocyano (—N₊≡C—), cyanato (—O—C≡N), isocyanato (—O—N₊≡C—), isothiocyanato (—S—C≡N), azido (—N═N₊═N—), formyl (—(CO)—H), thioformyl (—(CS)—H), amino (—NH2), mono- and di-(C1-C24 alkyl)-substituted amino, mono- and di-(C5-C20 aryl)-substituted amino, C2-C24 alkylamido (—NH—(CO)-alkyl), C5-C20 arylamido (—NH—(O)-aryl), imino (—CR═NH where R=hydrogen, C1-C24 alkyl, C5-C20 aryl, C6-C20 alkaryl, C6-C20 aralkyl, etc.), alkylimino (—CR═N(alkyl), where R=hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, etc.), arylimino (—CR═N(aryl), where R=hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, etc.), nitro (—NO2), nitroso (—NO), sulfo (—SO2-OH), sulfonato (—SO2-O—), C1-C24 alkylsulfanyl (—S-alkyl; also termed “alkylthio”), arylsulfanyl (—S-aryl; also termed “arylthio”), C1-C24 alkylsulfinyl (—(SO)-alkyl), C5-C20 arylsulfinyl (—(SO)-aryl), C1-C24 alkylsulfonyl (—SO2-alkyl), C5-C20 arylsulfonyl (—SO2-aryl), phosphono (—P(O)(OH)2), phosphonato (—P(O)(O-)2), phosphinato (—P(O)(O—)), phospho (—PO2), and phosphino (—PH2), mono- and di-(C1-C24 alkyl)-substituted phosphino, mono- and di-(C5-C20 aryl)-substituted phosphine. In addition, the aforementioned functional groups may, if a particular group permits, be further substituted with one or more additional functional groups or with one or more hydrocarbyl moieties such as those specifically enumerated above.

By “linking” or “linker” as in “linking group,” “linker moiety,” etc., is meant a bivalent radical moiety that connects two groups via covalent bonds. Examples of such linking groups include alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, arylene, alkarylene, aralkylene, and linking moieties containing functional groups including, without limitation: amido (—NH—CO—), ureylene (—NH—CO—NH—), imide (—CO—NH—CO—), epoxy (—O—), epithio (—S—), epidioxy (—O—O—), carbonyldioxy (—O—CO—O—), alkyldioxy (—O—(CH2)n-O—), epoxyimino (—O—NH—), epimino (—NH—), carbonyl (—CO—), etc. Any convenient orientation and/or connections of the linkers to the linked groups may be used.

When the term “substituted” appears prior to a list of possible substituted groups, it is intended that the term apply to every member of that group. For example, the phrase “substituted alkyl and aryl” is to be interpreted as “substituted alkyl and substituted aryl.”

In certain embodiments, a substituent may contribute to optical isomerism and/or stereo isomerism of a compound. Salts, solvates, hydrates, and prodrug forms of a compound are also of interest. All such forms are embraced by the present disclosure. Thus the compounds described herein include salts, solvates, hydrates, prodrug and isomer forms thereof, including the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, prodrugs and isomers thereof. In certain embodiments, a compound may be a metabolized into a pharmaceutically active derivative.

Unless otherwise specified, reference to an atom is meant to include isotopes of that atom. For example, reference to H is meant to include 1H, 2H (i.e., D) and 3H (i.e., T), and reference to C is meant to include 12C and all isotopes of carbon (such as 13C).

Definitions of other terms and concepts appear throughout the detailed description below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As summarized above, compounds and methods are provided for the treatment of pathogen infections, where the compound inhibits an enzyme in the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP-2) synthetic pathway, including without limitation selective inhibition of PI4-kinase. In some embodiments, the anti-infective compounds have broad spectrum activity against a variety of infective diseases, where the diseases are caused by pathogens containing a basic amino acid PIP-2 pincer (BAAPP) domain that interacts with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP-2) to mediate replication.

In some embodiments, an anti-infective compound that is a PI4-kinase inhibiting compound is contacted with a pathogen, in a dose and for a period of time sufficient to inhibit replication. Contacting may be performed in vitro or in vivo. Such PI4-kinase inhibiting compounds may inhibit pathogen replication by inhibiting the production of PIP-2.

In some embodiments a method of inhibiting a PI4-kinase, including but not limited to a class III PI4-kinase, are provided, where a compound of the invention is brought into contact with a PI4-kinase in a dose and for a period of time sufficient to inhibit activity of the enzyme.

Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions that include the subject compounds, where a compound of the invention is formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Formulations may be provided in a unit dose, where the dose provides an amount of the compound effective to achieve a desired result, including without limitation inhibition of pathogen replication.

These compounds and methods find use in a variety of applications in which inhibition of a PI-kinase is desired.

Compounds

As summarized above, aspects of the disclosure include PI4-kinase inhibitor compounds. In some cases, the compounds include a 5-aryl-thiazole core structure. The aryl ring may be a 6-membered heteroaryl or phenyl ring that includes a further substituent meta to the thiazole ring substituent. The thiazole ring of the core structure may include further substituents at the 2- and/or 4-positions of the ring. In some embodiments, the PI4-kinase inhibitor compounds are 2-amino-5-phenylthiazole compounds that include a thiazole ring having an amino substituent at the 2-position of the ring, and a phenyl substituent at the 5-position of the ring. In some embodiments, the compound includes further substituents, such as a substituent at either the 4 or 5-position of the thiazole ring. The aryl ring of the core structure may be further substituted with any convenient substituents including but not limited to alkyl, acyloxy, aminoalkoxy, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, nitro, —NHCOR, —SO₂NHR, —CONHR or —NHSO₂R, where R is alkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycle or aryl. Exemplary 5-aryl-thiazole compounds are set forth in the following structures and formulae I-XVIII.

In some cases, the subject compound is described by the structure of formula (I):

-   -   where:     -   Z¹ and W are each independently a covalent bond or a linking         functional group;     -   Y¹ and Y² are each independently CR² or N;     -   R¹ is selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, an         alkyl-heterocycle and a heterocycle;     -   R³ selected from hydrogen and an alkyl;     -   R⁴ is selected from an alkyl, an aralkyl, an aryl, an         alkyl-cycloalkyl, a cycloalkyl, an alkyl-heterocycle, a         heterocycle, an amino or an alkoxy; and     -   R², R⁶ and R⁷ are independently selected from hydrogen, an         alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle,         a cyano, a halogen, an amino, an acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and         a nitro.

In certain embodiments, in formula (I), R¹ to R⁴ are independently selected from corresponding groups as depicted in any of the structures of Table 1.

In some embodiments, in formula (I), Y¹ is CH and Y² is CR², such that the compound is described by the structure:

-   -   where:     -   Z¹ and W are each independently a covalent bond or a linking         functional group;     -   R¹ is selected from an alkyl, an aryl, an alkyl-heterocycle and         a heterocycle;     -   R² is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an alkyl and an alkoxy;     -   R³ is selected from hydrogen and an alkyl;     -   R⁴ is selected from an alkyl, an aralkyl, an aryl, an         alkyl-cycloalkyl, a cycloalkyl, an alkyl-heterocycle, a         heterocycle; and     -   R⁶ and R⁷ are independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an         aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano,         a halogen, an amino, an acyl, an acyloxy, an amido and nitro.

In certain embodiments, R² is selected from hydrogen, a halogen and an alkoxy.

In some embodiments, R³ and R⁶ are selected such that they form a 6-membered ring as part of a fused tricyclic aryl-thiazole core structure.

In some embodiments, R¹ is not a hydroxy-substituted alkyl group, such as —(CH₂)₂—OH.

In some embodiments, R¹ is selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl (e.g., a phenyl), an alkyl-heterocycle and a heterocycle (e.g., pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolidinyl, quinolinyl, indolyl, furyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrrolidino, morpholino, piperazino, piperidino, tetrahydrofuranyl). In some embodiments, R¹ is selected from hydrogen, a substituted lower alkyl (e.g., a substituted methyl or ethyl), a phenyl, a cycloalkyl, a pyridyl and a pyrimidinyl.

In some instances, R⁴ is —(CH₂)_(n)—R¹⁰, where n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and R¹⁰ is a cycloalkyl or a heterocycle (e.g., a 5- or 6-membered saturated N-containing heterocycle). In certain cases, R¹⁰ is selected from a cyclohexyl, a cyclopentyl, a cyclopropyl, a lower alkyl, a pyrrolidinyl and a piperidinyl.

In some embodiments, the subject compound is described by the structure of formula (II):

-   -   where:     -   Z¹ and Z² are each independently a covalent bond or a linking         functional group;     -   R¹ is selected from hydrogen, an alkyl (e.g., a substituted         ethyl, or a heterocycle-substituted lower alkyl), an aryl (e.g.,         a phenyl), and a heterocycle (e.g., a pyridyl, a pyrimidinyl);     -   R² is selected from hydrogen, a halogen and an alkoxy;     -   R³ and R⁵ are selected from hydrogen and an alkyl (e.g., a lower         alkyl such as a methyl);     -   R⁴ is selected from an alkyl (e.g., a cycloalkyl such as         cycloheptyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopropyl or a lower         alkyl such as methyl, ethyl or tert-butyl), an aralkyl (e.g., a         benzyl or a phenylethyl), an aryl, an alkyl-heterocycle, a         heterocycle, an amino and an alkoxy; and     -   R⁶ and R⁷ are independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an         aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano,         a halogen (e.g., fluoro, chloro or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an         acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro.

In certain embodiments, in formula (II), R¹ to R⁴ are independently selected from corresponding groups as depicted in any of the structures of Table 1.

The linking functional group may be any convenient bivalent group. Linking functional groups of interest include, but are not limited to, an amino, an amido, an ester, a carbonyloxy, an ether, a carbamate, a sulfonamide, a carbonyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfinyl, or the like. In some embodiments, the linking functional group is described by one of the following formulas: —SO₂NR—, —NR—, —NRC(═O)—, or —NRC(═O)NR— where each R is independently H, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, a heterocycle, a heterocycloalkyl, an aryl or a heteroaryl; —O—; —C(═O)—; —C(═O)X— where X is NR, O or S and where R is H or an alkyl; —S(═O)— or —SO₂—; where for each of the formulae depicted it is understood that both possible orientations of a functional group are included. In some embodiments, in formula (I), Z¹ is —SO₂NH— or —CONH— and W is a covalent bond, —NR— or —NRC(═O)—, where R is H or an alkyl. In some embodiments, in formula (II), Z¹ is —NHSO₂— or —SO₂NH—; and Z² is a covalent bond or —C(═O)—.

In some embodiments, R¹ is described by the formula —(CH₂)_(n)—CH(R⁸)—CHR⁹, where R⁸ is hydrogen or a lower alkyl (e.g., methyl) and R⁹ is hydrogen, an aryl (e.g., a phenyl) or a heterocycle (e.g., pyridyl (e.g., 3-pyridyl), pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolidinyl, quinolinyl, indolyl, furyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrrolidino, morpholino, piperazino, piperidino, tetrahydrofuranyl); and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3. In some embodiments, n is 0. In certain embodiments, R¹ is a substituted ethyl group, for example, a group described by one of the following structures:

In other embodiments, R¹ is described by the formula:

-   -   where A is a 6-membered aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, or         cycloalkyl, where Z¹¹-Z¹⁶ are independently selected from N,         CR′, NR and CR′R″, where R is H or alkyl, and R′ and R″ are         independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a         hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a         halogen (e.g., fluoro, chloro or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an         acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro.

In some embodiments, R¹ is described by the following formula:

-   -   where Z¹³ is CR²³ or N, where R²²-R²⁶ are independently selected         from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy, an         aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a halogen (e.g., fluoro, chloro         or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro.

In certain embodiments, R¹ is described by the following formula:

-   -   where Z¹³ is CR²³ or N, where R²³, R²⁴ and R²⁶ are independently         selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy,         an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a halogen (e.g., fluoro,         chloro or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a         nitro.

In some embodiments, R¹ is described by the following formula:

-   -   where Z³ is N or CR¹¹; Z⁴ is N or CR¹³; and R¹¹ to R¹⁵ are each         independently selected from where R²²-R²⁶ are independently         selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy,         an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a halogen (e.g., fluoro,         chloro or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a         nitro. In certain embodiments, R¹¹ to R¹⁵ are each independently         selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkoxy, an acyloxy, a         cyano, a halogen, and hydroxyl. In certain embodiments, Z³ is         CR¹¹, Z⁴ is CR¹³; R¹¹, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are each hydrogen; R¹² is         hydrogen, an alkoxy (e.g., methoxy) or a halogen (e.g., fluoro);         and R¹³ is selected from hydrogen, acetyloxy, hydroxy, methoxy,         cyano-methyl and halogen (e.g., fluoro). In certain embodiments,         Z⁴ is N. In certain embodiments, Z³ and Z⁴ are each N.

In some instances, R¹ is described by the following formula:

-   -   where Z¹³ and Z¹⁴ are each independently CR′R″ or NR, where R is         H or alkyl, and R³², R³⁵, R³⁶, R′ and R″ are independently         selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy,         an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a halogen (e.g., fluoro,         chloro or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a         nitro. In certain embodiments, R³², R³⁵, R³⁶, R′ and R″ are each         independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkoxy, an         acyloxy, a cyano, a halogen, and hydroxyl.

In certain embodiments, R¹ is described by one of the following formulas:

In some embodiments, in formulae (I) or (II), R² is methoxy. In some embodiments, in formulae (I) or (II), R³ is methyl.

In some embodiments, in formula (II), Z² is a covalent bond or —C(═O)—, and R⁴ is a lower alkyl (trifluoromethyl, tert-butyl, methyl, ethyl), a cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclopentyl, 1-fluoro-cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl) or —CH₂-cycloalkyl, a heterocycle (e.g., a N-linked saturated heterocycle such as N-pyrollidinyl, N-morpholino), or an amino (e.g., an amino-alkyl such as N-amino-cyclopentyl).

In some embodiments, in formula (II), R⁴ is described by the formula —NR¹⁶R¹⁷, wherein R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ are each independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, and wherein optionally R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ are cyclically linked (e.g., to form a N-heterocyclyl).

In some embodiments, in formula (II), Z² is a covalent bond; and R⁴ is an alkyl or an alkyl-cycloalkyl (e.g., 1-cyclopentyl-methyl-).

In some embodiments, in formula (II), R⁴ is selected from methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, cyclopentyl, N-pyrrolidinyl, N-morpholinyl, N-amino-cyclopentyl and 1-fluoro-cyclopentyl.

In certain embodiments, in formula (II), R⁵ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, in formula (II), R⁶ and R⁷ are each hydrogen.

In some instances, the compound is described by the structure of formula (III):

-   -   where R¹ is selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, an         alkyl-heterocycle and a heterocycle;     -   R² is hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy;     -   R³ is alkyl;     -   R⁵ is H or alkyl;     -   R⁴ is lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, -alkyl-cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl         or alkyl-heterocyclyl (e.g., —(CH₂)_(n)-cycloalkyl or         —(CH₂)_(n)-heterocycyl, where n is 0, 1 or 2);     -   W¹ is —SO₂— or —C(═O)—; and     -   W² is a covalent bond, —NH—, or —NHCO—.

In certain embodiments, in formula (III), R¹ is described by the following structure:

-   -   where A is a 6-membered aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, or         cycloalkyl, where Z¹¹-Z¹⁶ are independently selected from N,         CR′, NR and CR′R″, where R is H or alkyl, and R′ and R″ are         independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a         hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a         halogen (e.g., fluoro, chloro or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an         acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro.

In some embodiments, in formula (III), R¹ is described by one of the following structures:

-   -   where Z¹³ is CR²³ or N, where Z³ is N or CR¹¹; Z⁴ is N or CR¹³;         and R¹¹ to R¹⁵ and R²³-R²⁶ are each independently selected from         hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a         heterocycle, a cyano, a halogen (e.g., fluoro, chloro or bromo),         an amino, an acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro.

In certain embodiments, in formula (III), R¹ is described by the following:

-   -   where Z¹³ is CR²³ or N, and R²³, R²⁴ and R²⁶ are independently         selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy,         an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a halogen (e.g., fluoro,         chloro or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a         nitro. In certain embodiments, R²³, R²⁴ and R²⁶ are         independently selected from H, alkyl (e.g., methyl or ethyl),         alkoxy (e.g., methoxy or ethoxy) and halo (e.g., fluoro or         chloro). In certain cases, Z¹³ is selected from CH and N.

In certain embodiments, in formula (III), R¹ to R⁴ are independently selected from corresponding groups as depicted in any of the structures of Table 1.

In some cases, the compound is described by the structure of formula (IV):

-   -   where:     -   R¹ is —(CH₂)_(n)—R²⁰, where R²⁰ is an aryl, a cycloalkyl or a         heterocycle and n is 0, 1 or 2;     -   R² is H, alkyl or alkoxy;     -   R³ is H or alkyl;     -   W² is a covalent bond, —NH—, or —NHCO—;     -   n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and     -   R¹⁰ is a cycloalkyl or a heterocycle.

In certain cases, in formula (IV), R¹ is a phenyl, a pyridyl, a diazinyl, a piperidinyl, a piperazinyl, or a pyrriloidinyl.

In certain cases, in formula (IV), R¹ is described by the following structure:

-   -   where A is a 6-membered aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, or         cycloalkyl, where Z¹¹-Z¹⁶ are independently selected from N,         CR′, NR and CR′R″, where R is H or alkyl, and R′ and R″ are         independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a         hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a         halogen (e.g., fluoro, chloro or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an         acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro.

In some cases, the compound is described by the structure of formula (V):

-   -   where: R² is alkoxy, R³ is lower alkyl, W² is a covalent bond,         —NH—, or —NHCO—; n is 0, 1 or 2; Z¹³ is N or CR²³, R¹⁰ is a         cycloalkyl or a heterocycle; and R²³-R²⁶ are independently         selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy,         an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a halogen (e.g., fluoro,         chloro or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a         nitro. In certain embodiments, R²³-R²⁶ are independently         selected from hydrogen, halo, alkyl, and alkoxy.

In some instances, the compound is described by the structure of one of formulae (VI), (VII) or (VIII):

-   -   where: R² is alkoxy, R³ is lower alkyl, n is 0, 1 or 2; Z¹³ is N         or CR²³, R¹⁰ is a cycloalkyl or a heterocycle; and R²³-R²⁶ are         independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a         hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a         halogen (e.g., fluoro, chloro or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an         acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro. In certain embodiments, R²³-R²⁶         are independently selected from hydrogen, halo, alkyl, and         alkoxy.

In certain instances, R¹⁰ is a cyclopentyl, a cyclohexyl, a piperidinyl or a pyrrolidinyl. In certain embodiments, in formulae (IV)-(VIII), R² is methoxy. In certain embodiments, in formulae (IV)-(VIII), R³ is methyl.

In certain embodiments, in formulae (IV)-(VIII), Z¹³, R²³-R²⁶, R², R³ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from corresponding groups as depicted in any of the structures of Table 1.

In some cases, the compound is described by the structure of formula (IX):

-   -   where: R² is alkoxy; R³ is lower alkyl; W² is a covalent bond,         —NH—, or —NHCO—; each n is independently 0, 1 or 2; Z¹³ is N or         CR²³; R¹⁰ is a cycloalkyl or a heterocycle; and R²⁰ is an aryl,         a cycloalkyl or a heterocycle.

In certain cases, R²⁰ and R¹⁰ are independently described by the following structure:

-   -   where A is a 6-membered aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, or         cycloalkyl, where Z¹¹-Z¹⁶ are independently selected from N,         CR′, NR and CR′R″, where R is H, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, a         heterocycloalkyl, an aryl or a heteroaryl; and R′ and R″ are         independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a         hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a         halogen (e.g., fluoro, chloro or bromo), an amino, an acyl, an         acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro.

In certain embodiments, R²⁰ is a phenyl, a pyridyl, a diazinyl, a piperidinyl, a piperazinyl, or a pyrrolidinyl.

In some instances, the compound is described by the structure of one of formulae (X), (XI) or (XII):

-   -   where R² is an alkoxy, R³ is a lower alkyl, each n is         independently 0, 1 or 2; R¹⁰ is a cycloalkyl or a heterocycle;         and R²⁰ is an aryl, a cycloalkyl or a heterocycle. In certain         embodiments, R²⁰ is a phenyl, a pyridyl, a diazinyl, a         piperidinyl, a piperazinyl, or a pyrrolidinyl.

In certain instances, R¹⁰ is a cyclopentyl, a cyclohexyl, a piperidinyl or a pyrrolidinyl. In certain instances, R²⁰ is a phenyl, or a pyridyl. In certain embodiments, in formulae (IX)—(XII), R² is methoxy. In certain embodiments, in formulae (IX)—(XII), R³ is methyl.

In some embodiments, the compound is described by the structure of formula (XIII):

-   -   where R¹ is an alkyl, an aryl, an alkyl-heterocycle or a         heterocycle; and R⁴ is an alkyl, an aralkyl, an aryl, an         alkyl-cycloalkyl, a cycloalkyl, an alkyl-heterocycle, or a         heterocycle. In certain instances, R⁴ is a cyclopentyl, a         cyclohexyl, a piperidinyl or a pyrrolidinyl. In certain         instances, R¹ is a phenyl or a pyridiyl.

In certain embodiments, in formulae (I)-(XIII), R¹ or R²⁰ is described by one of the following structures:

-   -   where R⁴⁴-R⁴⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen, an         alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle,         a cyano, a halogen (e.g., fluoro, chloro or bromo), an amino, an         acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro; R′ is hydrogen, an         alkyl, an aryl or a heterocycle; n² is 0, 1, 2 or 3, and n¹ is         0, 1 or 2; and     -   R⁴ is —(CH₂)_(n)-cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or         cyclohexyl), —(CH₂)_(n)-heterocycle (e.g., piperidinyl, a         piperazinyl, or a pyrriloidinyl), or lower alkyl, where each n         is independently 0, 1, 2 or 3. In certain embodiments, in         formula (XIII), n is 1.

In certain embodiments, in formula (XIII), R¹ and R⁴ are independently selected from corresponding groups as depicted in any of the structures of Table 1.

In certain embodiments, the compound is described by one of the following structures:

-   -   where R¹ is selected from a phenyl, a pyridyl, a diazinyl, a         piperidinyl, a piperazinyl, a pyrriloidinyl and —(CH₂)_(n)—R²⁰         where R²⁰ is an aryl, a cycloalkyl or a heterocycle and n is 0,         1 or 2.

In certain embodiments, in the nine structures depicted above, R¹ is described by one of the following structures:

-   -   where R⁴⁴-R⁴⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen, an         alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle,         a cyano, a halogen (e.g., fluoro, chloro or bromo), an amino, an         acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro; R′ is hydrogen, an         alkyl, an aryl or a heterocycle; n² is 0, 1, 2 or 3, and n¹ is         0, 1 or 2. In certain embodiments, R⁴⁴-R⁴⁶ are independently         selected from H, an alkyl, an alkoxy, hydroxyl, and a halo         (e.g., fluoro or chloro).

In some embodiments, the compound is described by the structure of formula (XIV):

-   -   where R¹ is a phenyl, a pyridyl (e.g., 4-pyridyl or 3-pyridyl)         or a pyrimidinyl (e.g., a 4-pyrimidinyl or 3-pyrimidinyl).

In some embodiments, in formula (XIV), R⁵-R⁷ are each hydrogen.

In certain embodiments, in formula (XIV), R¹ to R⁵ are independently selected from corresponding groups as depicted in any of the structures of Table 1.

In some embodiments, in formula (XIV), R¹ is a phenyl, and R⁵-R⁷ are each hydrogen. In certain embodiments, the compound is described by the structure of formula (XV):

-   -   where Z³ is N or CR¹¹; Z⁴ is N or CR¹³; and R¹¹-R¹⁵ are each         independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl (e.g., a lower         alkyl such as methyl or trifluoromethyl), an aryl, a hydroxy, an         alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a halogen (e.g.,         fluoro, chloro or bromo), an amino (e.g., —NMe₂), an acyl, an         acyloxy, an amido, or a nitro.

In some embodiments, in formula (XV), R² is an alkoxy (e.g., methoxy). In some embodiments, in formula (XV), R³ is an alkyl (e.g., methyl).

In some embodiments, in formula (XV), Z⁴ is CR¹³ and Z³ is CR¹¹. In some embodiments, in formula (XV), Z⁴ is N and Z³ is CR¹¹. In some embodiments, in formula (XV), Z³ and Z⁴ are each N.

In some embodiments, in formula (XV), R¹¹-R¹⁵ are each independently selected from hydrogen, an alkoxy (e.g., methoxy), a halogen (e.g., fluoro), acyloxy (e.g., acetyloxy), hydroxy and cyano-alkyl (e.g., cyano-methyl).

In some embodiments, the subject compound is described by the structure of formula (XVI):

-   -   where R¹⁷ is hydrogen, an alkoxy (e.g., methoxy) or a halogen         (e.g., fluoro); and R¹⁸ is selected from hydrogen, acetyloxy,         hydroxy, methoxy, cyano-methyl and halogen (e.g., fluoro).

In some embodiments, in formula (XVI), R⁴ is selected from methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, cyclopentyl, N-pyrrolidinyl, N-morpholinyl, N-amino-cyclopentyl and 1-fluoro-cyclopentyl; and R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are independently selected from hydrogen, methoxy, fluoro, acetyloxy, hydroxy, and cyano-methyl.

In some embodiments, the subject compound is described by the structure of formula (XVII):

-   -   wherein:     -   Z¹ is —NHSO₂— or —SO₂NH—;     -   Z² is a covalent bond or —C(═O)—;     -   Z³ is N or CR¹¹;     -   Z⁴ is N or CR¹³; and     -   R¹¹ to R¹⁵ are each independently selected from hydrogen, an         alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle,         a cyano, a halogen (e.g., fluoro, chloro or bromo), an amino, an         acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro. In certain embodiments,         in formula (XVII), R¹¹ to R¹⁵ are each independently selected         from hydrogen, an alkoxy, an acyloxy, a halogen, and hydroxyl.

In some embodiments, in formula (XVII), Z³ is CR¹¹, Z⁴ is CR¹³; R¹¹, R¹², R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are each hydrogen; and R¹³ is selected from hydrogen, acetyloxy, hydroxy, methoxy and halogen (e.g., fluoro).

In some embodiments, in formula (XVII), Z³ is CR¹¹, Z⁴ is N, and R¹¹, R¹², R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are each hydrogen.

In some embodiments, in formula (XVII), Z³ and Z⁴ are each N, and R¹², R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are each hydrogen.

In some embodiments, in formula (XVII), Z² is a covalent bond or —C(═O)—, and R⁴ is a lower alkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl, tert-butyl), a cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclopentyl or 1-fluoro-cyclopentyl) or —CH₂-cycloalkyl (e.g., —CH₂-cyclopentyl), a heterocycle (e.g., a N-linked saturated heterocycle such as N-pyrrolidino or N-morpholino), or an amino (e.g., an amino-alkyl such as N-amino-cyclopentyl).

In some embodiments, in formula (XVII), Z² is —C(═O)—, and R⁴ is described by the formula —NR¹⁶R¹⁷, where R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ are each independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, and a cycloalkyl, wherein optionally R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ are cyclically linked (e.g., to form a N-heterocyclyl).

In some embodiments, in formula (XVII), Z² is a single bond; and R⁴ is an alkyl or a cycloalkyl-alkyl (e.g., 1-cyclopentyl-methyl).

In some embodiments, in formula (XVII), Z² is —C(═O)—, and R⁴ is selected from trifluoromethyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, N-pyrrolidinyl, N-morpholinyl, N-amino-cyclopentyl and 1-fluoro-cyclopentyl.

In some embodiments, the subject compound is described by the structure of formula (XVIII):

-   -   where X and Y are independently selected from the substituents         groups shown below:

In certain embodiments, in formula (XVIII), R¹ and R⁴ are independently selected from corresponding groups as depicted in any of the structures of Table 1.

In some embodiments, the subject compound is described by the structure of compound PT423, shown in Table 1. In some embodiments, the subject compound is described by one of the structures labeled M1, M2, and M3 in FIG. 2.

In certain embodiments, the compound is described by the structure of one of the compounds of Table 1.

TABLE 1 Compounds Cmpd Structure #

AB3454

AB3455

AB3456

AB3457

AB3458

AB3459

AB3460

AB3462

AB3463

AB3464

AB3480

AB3620

AB3621

AB3622

AB3624

AB3625

AB3660

AB3661

AB3662

AB3663

AB3664

AB3665

AB3666

AB3667

AB3668

AB3669

AB3670

AB3671

AB3672

AB3673

AB3674

AB3675

AB3676

AB3677

AB3678

AB3680

AB3681

AB3682

AB3725

AB3726

AB3727

AB3728

AB3729

AB3730

AB3731

AB3732

AB3733

AB3734

AB3735

AB3736

AB3737

AB3738

AB3742

AB3748

AB3749

AB3750

AB3751

AB3752

AB3753

AB3754

AB3755

AB3756

AB3757

AB3758

AB3759

AB3760

AB3761

AB3762

AB3763

AB3764

AB3765

AB3766

AB3767

AB3768

AB3769

AB3770

AB3786

AB3787

AB3788

AB3789

AB3797

AB3798

AB3800

AB3801

AB3802

AB3803

AB3805

AB3806

AB3807

AB3808

AB3809

AB3811

AB3823

AB3824

AB3825

AB3826

AB3827

AB3828

AB3829

AB3830

AB3831

AB3832

AB3833

AB3834

AB3835

AB3836

AB3837

AB3855

AB3856

AB3858

AB3859

AB3860

AB3861

AB3862

AB3863

AB3864

AB3865

AB3866

AB3867

AB3868

AB3869

AB3886

AB3913

AB3914

AB3915

AB3916

AB3917

AB3918

AB3919

AB3920

AB3921

AB3922

AB3923

AB3924

AB3925

AB3926

AB3943

AB3944

AB3945

AB3946

AB3947

AB3948

AB3949

AB3950

AB3951

AB3952

AB3953

AB3954

AB3955

AB3956

AB3957

AB3958

AB3977

AB3978

AB3979

AB3980

AB3981

AB4021

AB4022

AB4023

AB4024

AB4025

AB4050

AB4051

AB4052

AB4053

AB4054

AB4094

AB4095

AB4096

AB4097

AB4098

AB4099

AB4100

AB4106

AB4107

AB4108

AB4109

AB4110

AB4111

AB4112

AB4113

AB4114

AB4115

AB4116

AB4117

AB4118

AB4119

AB4137

AB4138

AB4139

AB4140

AB4141

AB4142

AB4143

AB4144

AB4145

AB4146

AB4147

AB4148

AB4149

AB4150

AB4162

AB4163

AB4164

AB4165

AB4166

AB4167

AB4168

AB4169

AB4170

AB4171

AB4172

AB4173

AB4174

AB4175

AB4176

AB4177

AB4178

AB4179

AB4180

AB4181

AB4182

AB4183

AB4184

AB4185

AB4186

AB4188

AB4189

AB4190

AB4191

AB4192

AB4193

AB4207

AB4208

AB4225

AB4226

AB4227

AB4228

AB4229

AB4230

AB4231

AB4232

AB4233

AB4234

AB4235

AB4236

AB4237

AB4238

AB4239

AB4240

AB4241

AB4242

AB4243

AB4244

PT41

PT42

PT43

PT44

PT45

PT46

PT47

PT48

PT49

PT410

PT411

PT412

PT413

PT414

PT415

PT416

PT417

PT418

PT419

PT420

PT421

PT422

PT423

PT424

PT425

Optimization for Bioavailability and Metabolic Stability

In some embodiments, the subject compounds are provided by oral dosing and absorbed into the bloodstream. In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of the subject compounds is 30% or more. Modifications may be made to the subject compounds or their formulations using any convenient methods to increase absorption across the gut lumen or their bioavailability.

In some embodiments, the subject compounds are metabolized in vivo to produce one or more metabolites. In some embodiments, the subject compounds may be optimized for metabolic stability using any convenient methods. In some embodiments, the subject compounds are metabolically stable (e.g., remain substantially intact in vivo during the half-life of the compound). In certain embodiments, the compounds have a half-life (e.g., an in vivo half-life) of 5 minutes or more, such as 10 minutes or more, 12 minutes or more, 15 minutes or more, 20 minutes or more, 30 minutes or more, 60 minutes or more, 2 hours or more, 6 hours or more, 12 hours or more, 24 hours or more, or even more.

In some embodiments, one or more metabolites exhibits similar or greater activity against the relevant target kinase(s), or against a particular pathogen, than does the parent compound. In some embodiments, the subject compounds are metabolized by a hydroxylation, a deacylation or a dearylation process that would also provide a direct route to type II conjugation and excretion of the compound. Modifications may be made to the subject compounds using any convenient methods to deactivate or activate these metabolic processes. For example, analogs of the compound PT423 may be prepared with modifications to the acylamide moiety which may decrease accessibility to nucleophilic attack, decrease lability to hydrolysis by changing the linkage to the more stable urea, and ablate sites of hydroxylation by replacing the modified carbon by nitrogen or by derivatization with fluoride. In some embodiments, modifications are made to a subject compound to be consistent with structure-activity data, so that the modifications are tolerated with respect to PI 4-kinase inhibiting activity.

In some cases, a N-dearylation process may contribute to metabolism of the subject compounds. To modulate this dearylation process, analogs of PT423 are synthesized with modifications to the N-phenylsulfonamide moiety, such as reversing a sulfonamide bond, altering the electronics of the phenyl ring by addition of electron-withdrawing or donating substituents, hindering the formation of a non-aromatic intermediate by either adding a carbon bond to oxygen, or by replacing the phenyl ring with heterocycles (e.g. pyrimidinyl, 3- or 4-pyridinyl, etc).

PI-Kinase Inhibition

As summarized above, aspects of the invention include PI4-kinase inhibiting compounds, and methods of inhibition using the same. The PI4-kinase inhibiting compounds are compounds that inhibit the activity of a PI4-kinase in a cell, upon contact with a cell or components thereof. In some instances, the types of cells in which the compounds of the invention exhibit activity are ones that have been infected with a pathogen, as described herein.

By inhibiting a PI-kinase it is meant that the activity of the enzyme is decreased by a factor of 2 or more, such as 3 or more, 5 or more, 10 or more, 100 or more, or 1000 or more, relative to its normal activity (e.g., relative to a positive control).

In some embodiments, the subject compounds are inhibitors of a PI3-kinase. In some embodiments, the subject compounds are inhibitors of a PI4-kinase, such as a PI4-III-kinase (e.g., PI4-IIIα or PI4-IIIβ). In some embodiments, the subject compounds have a PI-kinase inhibition profile that reflects activity against two or more PI-kinases. In some embodiments, the subject compounds specifically inhibit both a type II PI3-kinase, such as PI3-kinase IIβ, and a type III PI4-kinase, such as PI4K-IIIα and/or PI4K-IIIβ). In some embodiments, the subject compounds specifically inhibit a PI4-kinase without undesired inhibition of protein kinases. In some embodiments, the subject compounds specifically inhibit a PI4-kinase without undesired inhibition of PI3-kinase. In some embodiments, the subject compounds specifically inhibit a PI4-kinase and/or a specific PI3-kinase subclass without undesired inhibition of other PI3-kinase subclasses or protein kinases.

In some embodiments, the compounds of the disclosure interfere with the interaction of a BAAPP domain with PIP2 in a pathogen (e.g., HCV). For example, the subject compounds may act by decreasing the levels of PIP2 either directly or indirectly that bind specifically to the BAAPP domain of the pathogen. In general, pathogens that include a BAAPP domain are susceptible to inhibition by the subject compounds.

In some embodiments, the subject compounds inhibit a PI4-kinase, as determined by an inhibition assay, e.g., by an assay that determines the level of activity of the enzyme either in a cell-free system or in a cell after treatment with a subject compound, relative to a control, by measuring the IC₅₀ or EC₅₀ value, respectively. In certain embodiments, the subject compounds have an IC₅₀ value (or EC₅₀ value) of 10 μM or less, such as 3 μM or less, 1 μM or less, 500 nM or less, 300 nM or less, 200 nM or less, 100 nM or less, 50 nM or less, 30 nM or less, 10 nM or less, 5 nM or less, 3 nM or less, 1 nM or less, or even lower.

In some embodiments, the subject compounds inhibit a PI4-kinase, as determined by a kinase activity assay, e.g., by an assay that determines the level of incorporation of radiolabeled phosphate from [γ-³²P]-ATP into a substrate molecule after treatment with a subject compound, relative to a control, by measuring the beta-particle emission rate using a scintillation counter or phosphorimaging. In certain embodiments, the subject compounds have an IC₅₀ value for PI4K-IIIβ of less than about 1 μM, less than about 0.2 μM, less than about 0.1 μM, less than about 10 nM, less than about 1 nM, or even less, such as described in Tables 2-3. In certain embodiments, the subject compounds have an IC₅₀ value for PI4K-IIIα of less than about 50 μM, less than about 10 μM, less than about 1 μM, less than about 0.1 μM, less than about 10 nM, less than about 1 nM, or even less, such as described in Tables 2-3. In certain further embodiments, the subject compounds have an IC50 value for PI4K-IIIβ of 50 μM or less, [etc., etc.], 10 nM or less, 6 nM or less, or even less, such as described in Tables 2-3. In certain further embodiments, the subject compounds have an IC50 value for the PI3-kinase p110α-p85 complex of between about 8 and about 10 nM, between about 8 μM and about 10 μM, or even more, such as described in Tables 2-3. In certain further embodiments, the subject compounds have an IC50 value for the PI3-kinase p110γ-p85 complex of from about 2 to about 4 nM, of from about 4 μM to 5 μM, or even more, such as described in Tables 2-3. In certain further embodiments, the subject compounds have an IC50 value for the type II PI3-kinase beta of less than about 1 μM, less than about 150 nM, less than about 30 nM, or even less, such as described in Tables 2-3. In certain embodiments, the subject compounds have an IC50 value for type II PI3-kinase alpha of less than 10 μM. In certain further embodiments, more than one of the above criteria is independently satisfied by a particular compound.

In some embodiments, the potency of the PI 4-kinase inhibiting compounds track with anti-infective (e.g., antiviral) activity. In some cases, the enzymatic and anti-infective activities of the subject compounds diverge. In some embodiments, the anti-infective activity of the subject compounds depends on a combination of inhibition of both PI4KIIIα and PI4KIIIβ, or a combination of inhibition of class III PI4-kinases and class II PI3-kinases (especially class II PI3-kinase beta). The subject compound may have increased specificity for one isoform of these PI-kinase family members.

In certain embodiments, the subject compounds have no significant effect on the viability of a mammalian cell, as determined by a cell cytotoxicity assay, e.g., as determined by administering a subject compound to a HeLa cell and determining the number of viable cells present. The subject compounds may exhibit a % cell viability, as compared to a control (e.g., a DMSO control), of 15% or more, such as 20% or more, 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, 90% or more, 100% or more, 120% or more, or even higher. The subject compounds may exhibit a CC₅₀ value of 1 nM or higher, such as 100 nM or higher, 300 nM or higher, 1 μM or higher, 3 μM or higher, 5 μM or higher, 10 μM or higher, 20 μM or higher, 30 μM or higher, 50 μM or higher, or even higher.

In certain embodiments, the compounds have a therapeutic index (e.g., the ratio of a compound's cytotoxicity (e.g., cell cytotoxicity, CC50) to bioactivity (e.g., antiviral activity, EC50)) that is 20 or more, such as 50 or more, 100 or more, 200 or more, 300 or more, 400 or more, 500 or more, or even more.

As summarized above, aspects of the disclosure include methods of inhibiting a PI-kinase (e.g., a PI3, a PI4-IIIα, or a PI4-IIIβ kinase). A subject compound may inhibit at least one activity of the PI-kinase in the range of 10% to 100%, e.g., by 10% or more, 20% or more, 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, or 90% or more. In certain assays, a subject compound may inhibit its target with an 10₅₀ of 1×10⁻⁶ M or less (e.g., 1×10⁻⁶ M or less, 1×10⁻⁷ M or less, 1×10⁻⁸ M or less, 1×10⁻⁹ M or less, 1×10⁻¹⁹ M or less, or 1×10⁻¹¹ M or less).

The protocols that may be employed in determining PI-kinase activity are numerous, and include but are not limited to cell-free assays, e.g., binding assays; assays using purified enzymes, cellular assays in which a cellular phenotype is measured, e.g., gene expression assays; and in vivo assays that involve a particular animal (which, in certain embodiments may be an animal model for a condition related to the target pathogen).

In some embodiments, the subject method is an in vitro method that includes contacting a sample with a subject compound that specifically inhibits a target PI-kinase. In certain embodiments, the sample is suspected of containing the PI-kinase and the subject method further comprises evaluating whether the compound inhibits the PI-kinase. In certain embodiments, the PI-kinase is a PI4-kinase or a PI-3 kinase.

In certain embodiments, the subject compound is a modified compound that includes a label, e.g., a fluorescent label, and the subject method further includes detecting the label, if present, in the sample, e.g., using optical detection.

In certain embodiments, the compound is modified with a support or with affinity groups that bind to a support (e.g. biotin), such that any sample that does not bind to the compound may be removed (e.g., by washing). The specifically bound target PI-kinase, if present, may then be detected using any convenient means, such as, using the binding of a labeled target specific probe, or using a fluorescent protein reactive reagent.

In another embodiment of the subject method, the sample is known to contain the target PI-kinase.

Methods

Contrary to the classic paradigm of anti-infective therapy, the present disclosure provides methods of treating pathogen infection by targeting a host function and/or molecule upon which the pathogen is dependent, thereby decreasing the ability of the pathogen to avoid the therapeutic agent by mutation. In addition, by utilizing such a target, the methods of the disclosure allow combination therapies in which multiple targets are addressed, thereby increasing the ability to eliminate the infectious agent. The methods also provide a broad platform for anti-infective therapies by targeting a host function. In addition, in cases where the pathogen encodes its own PI-kinase(s), the present disclosure provides methods of treating pathogen infection by targeting the pathogen PI-kinase.

Pathogens of interest include those described in Glenn et al., “PIP-2 Inhibition-Based Antiviral and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Therapies” WO2009/148541, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the pathogen is selected from HCV, rhinovirus (e.g., B or C), P. falciparum, Ebola virus, Francisella tularensis, hantavirus, vaccinia, smallpox, Japanese encephalitis virus, hepatitis A virus, and influenza virus, PolioVirus, Enterovirus (e.g., A-D), West Nile Virus, and Dengue Virus (e.g., 1-4).

In some embodiments, where the pathogen is HCV, useful compounds include those having a high first-pass effect and consequent low systemic bioavailability, which are targeted to the liver, and which are typically discarded in early drug development. In other embodiments for the treatment of HCV, the compound, or formulation, is modified for liver-specific targeting.

In some cases, the method is a method of inhibiting a PI4-kinase in a sample.

As such, aspects of the method include contacting a sample with a subject compound (e.g., as described above) under conditions by which the compound inhibits the PI4-kinase. Any convenient protocol for contacting the compound with the sample may be employed. The particular protocol that is employed may vary, e.g., depending on whether the sample is in vitro or in vivo. For in vitro protocols, contact of the sample with the compound may be achieved using any convenient protocol. In some instances, the sample includes cells that are maintained in a suitable culture medium, and the complex is introduced into the culture medium. For in vivo protocols, any convenient administration protocol may be employed. Depending upon the potency of the compound, the cells of interest, the manner of administration, the number of cells present, various protocols may be employed.

The term “sample” as used herein relates to a material or mixture of materials, typically, although not necessarily, in fluid form, containing one or more components of interest.

In some embodiments, the subject method is a method of treating a subject for an infective disease. In some embodiments, the subject method includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a 2-aminophenylthiazole compound (e.g., as described above). In some embodiments, the infective disease condition results from infection with a positive-stranded RNA virus, negative stranded RNA virus, or a DNA virus. In some embodiments, the infective disease condition results from infection with a pathogen selected from the group of viral families consisting of Picornaviridae, Flaviviridae, Filoviridae, Bunyaviridae, Poxyiridae, and Orthomyxoviridae. In some embodiments, the infective disease condition results from infection with a pathogen selected from the phylum Apicomplexa or from the order Kinetoplastida. In some embodiments, the infective disease condition results from infection with a bacterium. In some embodiments, the infective disease condition results from infection with a pathogen selected from the group consisting of HCV, rhinovirus (e.g., B or C), P. falciparum, Ebola virus, Francisella tularensis, hantavirus, vaccinia, smallpox, Japanese encephalitis virus, hepatitis A virus, and influenza virus, PolioVirus, Enterovirus (e.g., A-D), West Nile Virus, and Dengue Virus (e.g., 1-4). In some embodiments, the pathogen is HCV. In some embodiments, the pathogen is rhinovirus or P. falciparum. In some embodiments, the pathogen is hepatitis A virus.

In some embodiments, the pathogen is characterized by having a BAAPP domain that interacts with PIP-2, or a protein that binds PI(4,5)P₂ or PI(4)P. In some embodiments, the pathogen is characterized by having a protein that interacts with one or more PI-4 kinases or PI phosphatases. In some embodiments, the BAAPP domain is derived from NS5A or NS4B protein. In some embodiments, the infective disease condition is caused by infection of a pathogen susceptible to PI4-kinase inhibition. In some embodiments, the compound specifically inhibits the PI4-kinase. In some embodiments, the compound has broad spectrum activity against two or more pathogens. In some embodiments, the compound modulates the activity of PIP-2. In some embodiments, the compound interferes with the interaction of a BAAPP domain and PIP-2 of the pathogen. In some embodiments, the compound blocks pathogen replication.

In some embodiments, the subject method is a method of treating a subject for an elevated level of VLDL or LDL cholesterol. In some embodiments, the subject method includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a 2-aminophenylthiazole compound (e.g., as described above), alone or in combination with other drugs known to affect LDL or VLDL levels (e.g., 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors such as lovastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, etc.; microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitors such as lomitapide; inhibitors of intestinal cholesterol absorption such as ezetimibe; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor type alpha activators such as fenofibrate).

In some embodiments, the subject is human. In some embodiments, the compound is administered as a pharmaceutical preparation.

In some embodiments, the subject method is a method of inhibiting viral infection, the method including contacting virus-infected cells with an effective dose of a 2-aminophenylthiazole compound (e.g., as described above) to inhibit viral replication. In some embodiments, the method further includes contacting the cells with a second antiviral agent.

In some embodiments, the compound is formulated to be targeted to the liver.

In certain embodiments, the compound is a modified compound that includes a label, and the method further includes detecting the label in the subject. The selection of the label depends on the means of detection. Any convenient labeling and detection systems may be used in the subject methods, see e.g., Baker, “The whole picture,” Nature, 463, 2010, p977-980. In certain embodiments, the compound includes a fluorescent label suitable for optical detection. In certain embodiments, the compound includes a radiolabel for detection using positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In some cases, the compound includes a paramagnetic label suitable for tomographic detection. The subject compound may be labeled, as described above, although in some methods, the compound is unlabelled and a secondary labeling agent is used for imaging.

Utility

The compounds and methods of the invention, e.g., as described herein, find use in a variety of applications. Applications of interest include, but are not limited to: research applications and therapeutic applications. Methods of the invention find use in a variety of different applications including any convenient application where inhibition of a PI4-kinase is desired.

The subject compounds and methods find use in a variety of research applications. The subject compounds and methods may be used in the optimization of the bioavailability and metabolic stability of compounds.

The subject MCIPs and methods find use in a variety of therapeutic applications. Therapeutic applications of interest include those applications in which pathogen infection is the cause or a compounding factor in disease progression. As such, the subject compounds find use in the treatment of a variety of different conditions in which the inhibition and/or treatment of viral infection in the host is desired. For example, the subject MCIPs and methods may find use in treating a pathogen caused infective disease such as HCV.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The above-discussed compounds can be formulated using any convenient excipients, reagents and methods. Compositions are provided in formulation with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient(s). A wide variety of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are known in the art and need not be discussed in detail herein. Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients have been amply described in a variety of publications, including, for example, A. Gennaro (2000) “Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy,” 20th edition, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins; Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems (1999) H. C. Ansel et al., eds., 7th ed., Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins; and Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients (2000) A. H. Kibbe et al., eds., 3^(rd) ed. Amer. Pharmaceutical Assoc.

The pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, such as vehicles, adjuvants, carriers or diluents, are readily available to the public. Moreover, pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances, such as pH adjusting and buffering agents, tonicity adjusting agents, stabilizers, wetting agents and the like, are readily available to the public.

In some embodiments, the subject compound is formulated in an aqueous buffer. Suitable aqueous buffers include, but are not limited to, acetate, succinate, citrate, and phosphate buffers varying in strengths from 5 mM to 100 mM. In some embodiments, the aqueous buffer includes reagents that provide for an isotonic solution. Such reagents include, but are not limited to, sodium chloride; and sugars e.g., mannitol, dextrose, sucrose, and the like. In some embodiments, the aqueous buffer further includes a non-ionic surfactant such as polysorbate 20 or 80. Optionally the formulations may further include a preservative. Suitable preservatives include, but are not limited to, a benzyl alcohol, phenol, chlorobutanol, benzalkonium chloride, and the like. In many cases, the formulation is stored at about 4° C. Formulations may also be lyophilized, in which case they generally include cryoprotectants such as sucrose, trehalose, lactose, maltose, mannitol, and the like. Lyophilized formulations can be stored over extended periods of time, even at ambient temperatures. In some embodiments, the subject compound is formulated for sustained release.

In some embodiments, the subject compound and an antiviral agent, e.g. interferon, ribavirin, Enfuvirtide; RFI-641 (4,4″-bis-{4,6-bis-[3-(bis-carbamoylmethyl-sulfamoyl)-phenylamino]-(1,3,5) triazin-2-ylamino}-biphenyl-2,2″-disulfonic acid); BMS-433771 (2H-Imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-one, 1-cyclopropyl-1,3-dihydro-3-((1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)methyl)); arildone; Pleconaril (3-(3,5-Dimethyl-4-(3-(3-methyl-5-isoxazolyl)propoxy)phenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole); Amantadine (tricyclo[3.3.1.1.3,7]decane-1-amine hydrochloride); Rimantadine (alpha-methyltricyclo[3.3.1.1.3,7]decane-1-methanamine hydrochloride); Acyclovir (acycloguanosine); Valaciclovir; Penciclovir (9-(4-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-but-1-yl)guanine); Famciclovir (diacetyl ester of 9-(4-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-but-1-yl)-6-deoxyguanine); Gancyclovir (9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine); Ara-A (adenosine arabinoside); Zidovudine (3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine); Cidofovir (1-[(S)-3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]cytosine dihydrate); Dideoxyinosine (2′,3′-dideoxyinosine); Zalcitabine (2′,3′-dideoxycytidine); Stavudine (2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine); Lamivudine ((−)-β-L-3′-thia-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine); Abacavir (1S,4R)-4-[2-amino-6-(cyclopropylamino)-9H-purin-9-yl]-2-cyclopentene-1-methanol succinate); Emtricitabine (−)-β-L-3′-thia-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluorocytidine); Tenofovir disoproxil (Fumarate salt of bis(isopropoxycarbonyloxymethyl) ester of (R)-9-(2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine); Bromovinyl deoxyuridine (Brivudin); Iodo-deoxyuridine (Idoxuridine); Trifluorothymidine (Trifluridine); Nevirapine (1′-cyclopropyl-5,1′-dihydro-4-methyl-6H-dipyrido[3,2-b:2′,3′-f][1,4]diazepin-6-one); Delavirdine (1-(5-methanesulfonamido-1H-indol-2-yl-carbonyl)-4-[3-(1-methylethyl-amino)pyridinyl) piperazine monomethane sulfonated); Efavirenz ((−)6-chloro-4-cyclopropylethynyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1,4-dihydro-2H-3,1-benzoxazin-2-one); Foscarnet (trisodium phosphonoformate); Ribavirin (1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide); Raltegravir (N-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-1,6-dihydro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-[1-methyl-1-[[(5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino]ethyl]-6-oxo-4-pyrimidinecarboxamide monopotassium salt); Neplanocin A; Fomivirsen; Saquinavir (SQ); Ritonavir ([5S-(5R,8R,10R,11R)]-10-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)-1-[2-(methylethyl)-4-thiazolyl]-3,6-dioxo-8,11-bis(phenylmethyl)-2,4,7,12-tetraazamidecan-13-oic acid 5-thiazolylmethyl ester); Indinavir ([(1S,2R,5(S)-2,3,5-trideoxy-N-(2,3-dihydro-2-hydroxy-1H-inden-1-yl)-5-[2-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]carbonyl]-4-pyridinylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-2-(phenylmethyl-erythro)pentonamide); Amprenavir; Nelfinavir; Lopinavir; Atazanavir; Bevirimat; Indinavir; Relenza; Zanamivir; Oseltamivir; Tarvacin; etc. are administered to individuals in a formulation (e.g., in the same or in separate formulations) with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient(s).

In another aspect of the present invention, a pharmaceutical composition is provided, comprising, or consisting essentially of, a compound of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, isomer, tautomer or prodrug thereof, and further comprising one or more additional anti-HCV therapeutic agents selected from the group consisting of: an HCV NS3 protease inhibitor, an HCV NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor, a thiazolide, a sustained release thiazolide, a nucleoside analog, an interferon-alpha or lambda, a pegylated interferon, ribavirin, levovirin, viramidine, a TLR7 agonist, a TLR9 agonist, a cyclophilin inhibitor, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, an NS5A inhibitor, an NS3 helicase inhibitor, clemizole or clemizole analog (such as the benzimidizole and indazole analogs described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/383,071 and 12/383,030), or other NS4B inhibitor including an NS4B amphipathic helix inhibitor. The subject compound and second antiviral agent, as well as additional therapeutic agents as described herein for combination therapies, can be administered orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, parenterally, or other route. The subject compound and second antiviral agent may be administered by the same route of administration or by different routes of administration. The therapeutic agents can be administered by any suitable means including, but not limited to, for example, oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including transdermal, aerosol, buccal and sublingual), vaginal, parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal), intravesical or injection into an affected organ.

In some embodiments, the subject compound and an antimalarial agent, e.g., chloroquine, primaquine, mefloquine, doxycycline, atovaquone-proguanil, quinine, quinidine, artesunate, artemether, lumefantrine; etc. are administered to individuals in a formulation (e.g., in the same or in separate formulations) with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient(s). The subject compound and second antimalarial agent, as well as additional therapeutic agents as described herein for combination therapies, can be administered orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, parenterally, or other route. The subject compound and second antimalarial agent may be administered by the same route of administration or by different routes of administration. The therapeutic agents can be administered by any suitable means including, but not limited to, for example, oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including transdermal, aerosol, buccal and sublingual), vaginal, parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal), intravesical or injection into an affected organ.

The subject compounds may be administered in a unit dosage form and may be prepared by any methods well known in the art. Such methods include combining the subject compound with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected on the basis of the chosen route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice. Each carrier must be “pharmaceutically acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not injurious to the subject. This carrier can be a solid or liquid and the type is generally chosen based on the type of administration being used.

Examples of suitable solid carriers include lactose, sucrose, gelatin, agar and bulk powders. Examples of suitable liquid carriers include water, pharmaceutically acceptable fats and oils, alcohols or other organic solvents, including esters, emulsions, syrups or elixirs, suspensions, solutions and/or suspensions, and solution and or suspensions reconstituted from non-effervescent granules and effervescent preparations reconstituted from effervescent granules. Such liquid carriers may contain, for example, suitable solvents, preservatives, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, diluents, sweeteners, thickeners, and melting agents. Preferred carriers are edible oils, for example, corn or canola oils. Polyethylene glycols, e.g. PEG, are also good carriers.

Any drug delivery device or system that provides for the dosing regimen of the instant disclosure can be used. A wide variety of delivery devices and systems are known to those skilled in the art.

Although such may not be necessary, compounds and agents described herein can optionally be targeted to the liver, using any known targeting means. The compounds of the disclosure may be formulated with a wide variety of compounds that have been demonstrated to target compounds to hepatocytes. Such liver targeting compounds include, but are not limited to, asialoglycopeptides; basic polyamino acids conjugated with galactose or lactose residues; galactosylated albumin; asialoglycoprotein-poly-L-lysine) conjugates; lactosaminated albumin; lactosylated albumin-poly-L-lysine conjugates; galactosylated poly-L-lysine; galactose-PEG-poly-L-lysine conjugates; lactose-PEG-poly-L-lysine conjugates; asialofetuin; and lactosylated albumin.

The terms “targeting to the liver” and “hepatocyte targeted” refer to targeting of a compound to a hepatocyte, particularly a virally infected hepatocyte, such that at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, or at least about 90%, or more, of the compound administered to the subject enters the liver via the hepatic portal and becomes associated with (e.g., is taken up by) a hepatocyte.

HCV infection is associated with liver fibrosis and in certain embodiments the inhibitors may be useful in treating liver fibrosis (particularly preventing, slowing of progression, etc.). The methods involve administering an compound of the disclosure as described above, in an amount effective to reduce viral load, thereby treating liver fibrosis in the subject. Treating liver fibrosis includes reducing the risk that liver fibrosis will occur; reducing a symptom associated with liver fibrosis; and increasing liver function.

Whether treatment with a compound as described herein is effective in reducing liver fibrosis is determined by any of a number of well-established techniques for measuring liver fibrosis and liver function. The benefit of anti-fibrotic therapy can be measured and assessed by using the Child-Pugh scoring system which comprises a multi-component point system based upon abnormalities in serum bilirubin level, serum albumin level, prothrombin time, the presence and severity of ascites, and the presence and severity of encephalopathy. Based upon the presence and severity of abnormality of these parameters, patients may be placed in one of three categories of increasing severity of clinical disease: A, B, or C.

Treatment of liver fibrosis (e.g., reduction of liver fibrosis) can also be determined by analyzing a liver biopsy sample. An analysis of a liver biopsy comprises assessments of two major components: necroinflammation assessed by “grade” as a measure of the severity and ongoing disease activity, and the lesions of fibrosis and parenchymal or vascular remodeling as assessed by “stage” as being reflective of long-term disease progression. See, e.g., Brunt (2000) Hepatol. 31:241-246; and METAVIR (1994) Hepatology 20:15-20. Based on analysis of the liver biopsy, a score is assigned. A number of standardized scoring systems exist which provide a quantitative assessment of the degree and severity of fibrosis. These include the METAVIR, Knodell, Scheuer, Ludwig, and Ishak scoring systems.

The METAVIR scoring system is based on an analysis of various features of a liver biopsy, including fibrosis (portal fibrosis, centrilobular fibrosis, and cirrhosis); necrosis (piecemeal and lobular necrosis, acidophilic retraction, and ballooning degeneration); inflammation (portal tract inflammation, portal lymphoid aggregates, and distribution of portal inflammation); bile duct changes; and the Knodell index (scores of periportal necrosis, lobular necrosis, portal inflammation, fibrosis, and overall disease activity). The definitions of each stage in the METAVIR system are as follows: score: 0, no fibrosis; score: 1, stellate enlargement of portal tract but without septa formation; score: 2, enlargement of portal tract with rare septa formation; score: 3, numerous septa without cirrhosis; and score: 4, cirrhosis.

Knodell's scoring system, also called the Hepatitis Activity Index, classifies specimens based on scores in four categories of histologic features: I. Periportal and/or bridging necrosis; II. Intralobular degeneration and focal necrosis; III. Portal inflammation; and IV. Fibrosis. In the Knodell staging system, scores are as follows: score: 0, no fibrosis; score: 1, mild fibrosis (fibrous portal expansion); score: 2, moderate fibrosis; score: 3, severe fibrosis (bridging fibrosis); and score: 4, cirrhosis. The higher the score, the more severe the liver tissue damage. Knodell (1981) Hepatol. 1:431.

In the Scheuer scoring system scores are as follows: score: 0, no fibrosis; score: 1, enlarged, fibrotic portal tracts; score: 2, periportal or portal-portal septa, but intact architecture; score: 3, fibrosis with architectural distortion, but no obvious cirrhosis; score: 4, probable or definite cirrhosis. Scheuer (1991) J. Hepatol. 13:372.

The Ishak scoring system is described in Ishak (1995) J. Hepatol. 22:696-699. Stage 0, No fibrosis; Stage 1, Fibrous expansion of some portal areas, with or without short fibrous septa; stage 2, Fibrous expansion of most portal areas, with or without short fibrous septa; stage 3, Fibrous expansion of most portal areas with occasional portal to portal (P-P) bridging; stage 4, Fibrous expansion of portal areas with marked bridging (P-P) as well as portal-central (P-C); stage 5, Marked bridging (P-P and/or P-C) with occasional nodules (incomplete cirrhosis); stage 6, Cirrhosis, probable or definite.

In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the disclosure is an amount of compound that effects a change of one unit or more in the fibrosis stage based on pre- and post-therapy measures of liver function (e.g, as determined by biopsies). In particular embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of the subject compound reduces liver fibrosis by at least one unit in the Child-Pugh, METAVIR, the Knodell, the Scheuer, the Ludwig, or the Ishak scoring system.

Secondary, or indirect, indices of liver function can also be used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment. Morphometric computerized semi-automated assessment of the quantitative degree of liver fibrosis based upon specific staining of collagen and/or serum markers of liver fibrosis can also be measured as an indication of the efficacy of a subject treatment method. Secondary indices of liver function include, but are not limited to, serum transaminase levels, prothrombin time, bilirubin, platelet count, portal pressure, albumin level, and assessment of the Child-Pugh score. An effective amount of the subject compound is an amount that is effective to increase an index of liver function by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, or at least about 80%, or more, compared to the index of liver function in an untreated individual, or to a placebo-treated individual. Those skilled in the art can readily measure such indices of liver function, using standard assay methods, many of which are commercially available, and are used routinely in clinical settings.

Serum markers of liver fibrosis can also be measured as an indication of the efficacy of a subject treatment method. Serum markers of liver fibrosis include, but are not limited to, hyaluronate, N-terminal procollagen III peptide, 7S domain of type IV collagen, C-terminal procollagen I peptide, and laminin. Additional biochemical markers of liver fibrosis include α-2-macroglobulin, haptoglobin, gamma globulin, apolipoprotein A, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase.

A therapeutically effective amount of the subject compound is an amount that is effective to reduce a serum level of a marker of liver fibrosis by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, or at least about 80%, or more, compared to the level of the marker in an untreated individual, or to a placebo-treated individual. Those skilled in the art can readily measure such serum markers of liver fibrosis, using standard assay methods, many of which are commercially available, and are used routinely in clinical settings. Methods of measuring serum markers include immunological-based methods, e.g., enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), radioimmunoassays, and the like, using antibody specific for a given serum marker.

Qualitative or quantitative tests of functional liver reserve can also be used to assess the efficacy of treatment with an agent. These include: indocyanine green clearance (ICG), galactose elimination capacity (GEC), aminopyrine breath test (ABT), antipyrine clearance, monoethylglycine-xylidide (MEG-X) clearance, and caffeine clearance.

As used herein, a “complication associated with cirrhosis of the liver” refers to a disorder that is a sequellae of decompensated liver disease, i.e., or occurs subsequently to and as a result of development of liver fibrosis, and includes, but it not limited to, development of ascites, variceal bleeding, portal hypertension, jaundice, progressive liver insufficiency, encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure requiring liver transplantation, and liver-related mortality.

A therapeutically effective amount of a compound in this context can be regarded as an amount that is effective in reducing the incidence (e.g., the likelihood that an individual will develop) of a disorder associated with cirrhosis of the liver by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, or at least about 80%, or more, compared to an untreated individual, or to a placebo-treated individual.

Whether treatment with the subject compound is effective in reducing the incidence of a disorder associated with cirrhosis of the liver can readily be determined by those skilled in the art.

Reduction in HCV viral load, as well as reduction in liver fibrosis, can be associated with an increase in liver function. Thus, the disclosure provides methods for increasing liver function, generally involving administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the disclosure. Liver functions include, but are not limited to, synthesis of proteins such as serum proteins (e.g., albumin, clotting factors, alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases (e.g., alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase), 5′-nucleosidase, γ-glutaminyltranspeptidase, etc.), synthesis of bilirubin, synthesis of cholesterol, and synthesis of bile acids; a liver metabolic function, including, but not limited to, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid and ammonia metabolism, hormone metabolism, and lipid metabolism; detoxification of exogenous drugs; a hemodynamic function, including splanchnic and portal hemodynamics; and the like.

Whether a liver function is increased is readily ascertainable by those skilled in the art, using well-established tests of liver function. Thus, synthesis of markers of liver function such as albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, bilirubin, and the like, can be assessed by measuring the level of these markers in the serum, using standard immunological and enzymatic assays. Splanchnic circulation and portal hemodynamics can be measured by portal wedge pressure and/or resistance using standard methods. Metabolic functions can be measured by measuring the level of ammonia in the serum.

Whether serum proteins normally secreted by the liver are in the normal range can be determined by measuring the levels of such proteins, using standard immunological and enzymatic assays. Those skilled in the art know the normal ranges for such serum proteins. The following are non-limiting examples. The normal range of alanine transaminase is from about 7 to about 56 units per liter of serum. The normal range of aspartate transaminase is from about 5 to about 40 units per liter of serum. Bilirubin is measured using standard assays. Normal bilirubin levels are usually less than about 1.2 mg/dL. Serum albumin levels are measured using standard assays. Normal levels of serum albumin are in the range of from about 35 to about 55 g/L. Prolongation of prothrombin time is measured using standard assays. Normal prothrombin time is less than about 4 seconds longer than control.

A therapeutically effective amount of a compound in this context is one that is effective to increase liver function by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, or more. For example, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound is an amount effective to reduce an elevated level of a serum marker of liver function by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, or more, or to reduce the level of the serum marker of liver function to within a normal range. A therapeutically effective amount of a compound is also an amount effective to increase a reduced level of a serum marker of liver function by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, or more, or to increase the level of the serum marker of liver function to within a normal range.

HCV infection is associated with hepatic cancer and in certain embodiments the present disclosure provides compositions and methods of reducing the risk that an individual will develop hepatic cancer. The methods involve administering the subject compound, as described above, wherein viral load is reduced in the individual, and wherein the risk that the individual will develop hepatic cancer is reduced. An effective amount of a compound is one that reduces the risk of hepatic cancer by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, or more. Whether the risk of hepatic cancer is reduced can be determined in, e.g., study groups, where individuals treated according to the subject methods have reduced incidence of hepatic cancer.

Subjects Amenable to Treatment Using the Compounds of the Disclosure

Individuals who have been clinically diagnosed as infected with a pathogen of interest are suitable for treatment with the methods of the present disclosure. In particular embodiments of interest, individuals of interest for treatment according to the disclosure have detectable pathogen titer indicating active replication, for example an HCV titer of at least about 10⁴, at least about 10⁵, at least about 5×10⁵, or at least about 10⁶, or greater than 2 million genome copies of HCV per milliliter of serum. Similar methods may be used to determine whether subjects infected with another pathogen are suitable for treatment using the subject methods.

The effectiveness of the anti-infective treatment may be determined using any convenient method. For example, whether a subject method is effective in treating a virus infection can be determined by measuring viral load, or by measuring a parameter associated with infection.

Viral load can be measured by measuring the titer or level of virus in serum. These methods include, but are not limited to, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a branched DNA (bDNA) test. Many such assays are available commercially, including a quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) (Amplicor HCV Monitor™, Roche Molecular Systems, New Jersey); and a branched DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) signal amplification assay (Quantiplex™ HCV RNA Assay (bDNA), Chiron Corp., Emeryville, Calif.). See, e.g., Gretch et al. (1995) Ann. Intern. Med. 123:321-329.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention nor are they intended to represent that the experiments below are all or the only experiments performed. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers used (e.g. amounts, temperature, etc.) but some experimental errors and deviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, molecular weight is weight average molecular weight, temperature is in degrees Centigrade, and pressure is at or near atmospheric.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope of the present disclosure. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Example 1 Synthesis and Assays

In the assays described here, p110α-p85 complex and p110γ were acquired from Millipore. Assays were performed with La-phosphatidylinositol (Avanti) as described in Knight et al. Nat. Protoc. 2007; 2(10):2459-66. Inhibitor series were prepared 10% DMSO as 5× stocks for the assay. Assays of HsVps34 were performed as described in Knight et al, except that the final assay buffer composition used was changed to 20 mM HEPES 7.5, 100 mM NaCl, 3 mM MgCl, 1 mg/mL PI and 44 nM hvps34 was used in the assay. For inhibitors with an apparent IC50 less than or equal to 22 nM, values were reassayed using 4.4 nM hvps34 with 3 mM MnCl2. COS-7 cells were cultured in 10 cm dishes and transfected at 70% confluence with 10 μg of plasmid DNA (HA-tagged bovine PI4KIIIβ, HA-tagged human PI4KIIIα) using Lipofectamine 2000 and 5 ml Opti-MEM following the manufacturer's instructions. After 5 hours the transfection medium was replaced with 10 ml complete DMEM. 36 hrs post transfection, cells were washed once with 5 ml PBS (pH 7.4) and lysed in 1 ml of lysis buffer (1) on ice. Lysates were collected by scraping and after 15 min they were centrifuged at 13,000 rpm for 10 min. To the lysates was added 200 μl of protein G Sepharose 4 fast flow beads that were prewashed with PBS and lysis buffer and 2 μg of anti-HA antibody. The tubes were then incubated overnight at 4 degrees C. in a tube rotator. The Sepharose beads in the lysate were washed twice with 150 mM NaCl in RIPA buffer, twice with RIPA buffer and once with kinase buffer (50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5, 20 mM MgCl2, 1 mM EGTA, 1 mM PtdIns, 0.4% Triton X-100, 0.5 mg/mL BSA) and finally the beads were resuspended in 200 μL kinase buffer. Kinase reactions were run in a mixture of 45 μL of PI buffer (1 mM PI in kinase buffer), 10 μL of immunoprecipitated beads, 2 μL of inhibitors (dissolved and diluted in DMSO) or DMSO and 5 μL of [γ-³²P]-ATP (1 mM and 2 μCi/tube). The immunoprecipitates in PI buffer were pre-incubated with the drugs for 20 min prior the initiation of kinase reaction by adding ATP and the reactions were carried out for 30 min in 15 ml polypropolyne tubes. Reactions were terminated by addition of 3 ml of CHCl3:CH3OH:HCl (200:100:0.75) followed by 0.6 ml of 0.6N HCl to induce phase separation. The mixtures were vortexed, centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 2 min and the upper phase was discarded. To the lower phase was added 1.5 ml of CHCl3:CH3OH:0.6N HCl (3:48:47) and the mixture vortexed and centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 2 min. The lower phase was then transferred to counting vials and evaporated. Samples were counted in a scintillation beta counter after adding 5 ml of Instafluor (Perkin-Elmer).

Synthesis:

Compounds may be synthesized using any convenient method. For example, by similar methods to those described by Shokat et al. “A pharmacological map of the PI3-K family defines a role for p110alpha in insulin signaling.” Cell. 2006; 125(4):733-47. Starting materials are obtained from Aldrich or Alfa Aesar. Reactions are monitored by LC/MS and reaction products characterized by LC/MS and ¹H NMR. Intermediates and final products are purified by silica gel chromatography or by reverse phase HPLC.

PI-Kinase Assay:

Compounds are tested in C.1.1. PI kinase assays as described by Shokat et al., “A membrane capture assay for lipid kinase activity.” Nat. Protoc. 2007; 2(10):2459-66.

Anti-HCV Assay:

Anti-HCV assays are performed as described by Cho et al. “Identification of a class of HCV inhibitors directed against the nonstructural protein NS4B.” Sci. Transl. Med. 2011; 2(15):15ra6.

Broad-Spectrum Anti-Infective Assays:

Compounds are tested for activity against selected agents harboring proteins with BAAPP domains, or other PI-4 or PIP2 binding motifs, (i.e. Vaccinia virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, hepatitis A virus, and influenza virus) in clinical studies. Activity against multiple NIAID Category A, B, and C pathogens is assayed.

Vaccinia Virus Assay:

Standard plaque assays are performed on CV-1 cells, using methods described by Glenn et al., “Amphipathic helix-dependent localization of NS5A mediates hepatitis C virus RNA replication.” J. Virol. 2003; 77(10):6055-61, in the presence of vehicle or vehicle plus various concentrations of compound.

HAV Assay:

Huh7 cells harboring HAV replicons encoding a blasticidin resistance gene (Yang et al., “Disruption of innate immunity due to mitochondrial targeting of a picornaviral protease precursor.” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2007; 104(17):7253-8) is grown in media containing blasticidin, with or without various concentrations of compound. Anti-HAV activity is assessed by both cell plating efficiency and HAV RNA levels using quantitative RT-PCR assays. A luciferase-linked HAV replicon for tranisient replication assays is used to evaluate the effects of HAV BAAPP domain mutants.

JEV Assay:

JEV assays are performed using both infectious virus in cell culture, as well as in an in vivo animal model, using similar methods to those described by Shah et al. “Molecular characterization of attenuated Japanese encephalitis live vaccine strain ML-17.” Vaccine. 2006; 24(4):402-11.

Influenza Virus Assay:

Influenza virus assays are performed using infectious virus in cell culture, using similar methods to those described by Hossain et al. “Establishment and characterization of a Madin-Darby canine kidney reporter cell line for influenza A virus assays.” J. Clin. Microbiol. 48(7):2515-23.

Plasmodium falciparum Assay:

Plasmodium falciparum assays are performed using an erythrocyte-fed culture of P. falciparum ring forms, using similar methods to those described by Deu et al. “Functional Studies of Plasmodium falciparum Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidase I Using Small Molecule Inhibitors and Active Site Probes.” Chemistry & Biology 17, 808-819.

Rhinovirus Assay:

Rhinovirus assays are performed by determining to what extent the compound protects HeLa S3 cells from the cytopathic effect of an inoculum of human rhinovirus 14, using similar methods to those described by Buckwold et al., “Synergistic In Vitro Interactions between Alpha Interferon and Ribavirin against Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus and Yellow Fever Virus as Surrogate Models of Hepatitis C Virus Replication,” Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 47(7), 2293-2298.

HAV Assay:

HAV assays are performed by co-culturing Huh7-derived cells harboring the blasticidin-selectable HAV replicon (HAV-Bla, described by Yang et al, “Disruption of innate immunity due to mitochondrial targeting of a picornaviral protease precursor”, PNAS 104(17), 7253-7258) for over two weeks in DMEM with 10% FBS, 1% Pen-Strep, 1% L-Glutamine, 1% nonessential amino acids, and 4 μg/mL blasticidin, with various concentrations of compound or vehicle control in 6-well plates at a density of 1000 HAV-Bla cells per well and 1/72 confluent plate worth of Huh7 feeder cells per well. At the end of this culture, large colonies in each well are counted and an effective concentration at which plating efficiency is decreased by 50% (EC50) is calculated. For compound PT423 described below, the EC50 is below 50 nM.

For all of the assays described above, EC50, EC90, and CC50 values are determined, and experiments are performed starting drug treatments at various times post initiation of infection to help localize the most sensitive aspects of each pathogen's life cycle to PI 4-kinase inhibition.

Resistance Assays:

The capacity for emergence of resistance and its nature is determined using any convenient methods, for example methods that involve sequencing of any resistant isolates that are able to be propagated. Co-treatments with other drugs are also performed. Experiments are conducted under BL2+ conditions where appropriate.

TABLE 2 IC₅₀ IC₅₀ Com- IC₅₀ PI3K IC₅₀ PI3K PI3K PI3K EC₅₀ EC₅₀ CC₅₀ CC₅₀ pound 110a 110g C2a C2b IC₅₀ IIIa IC₅₀ IIIb EC₅₀ 2a HRV14 P. falcip. Huh7.5 HeLa PIK93  31 nM    5 nM  >10 μM 440 nM    2 μM    24 nM   1 μM    3 μM PT17  87 nM   12 nM 200 nM  <30 nM 6.8 μM 8.38 nM   12 μM  >5 μM  PT18 210 nM   49 nM 800 nM  <30 nM   1 μM   13 μM PT19  >10 μM   1.7 μM  >10 μM >10 μM   5.7 μM    25 nM 6.54 μM  >20 μM PT110    1 μM   560 nM  >10 μM >10 μM   6.2 μM  21.1 nM 8.5 μM   13 μM PT111  4.26 μM  2.14 μM    3 μM  <30 nM   2 μM    6 μM PT27 516 nM   349 nM    5 μM    37 nM  10 μM >20 μM PT28 1.342 μM 1.067 μM 300 nM   200 nM   3 μM    5 μM PT29 8.612 μM  >10 μM     1 μM   300 nM  11 μM >20 μM PT210  2.05 μM  4.43 μM   1.7 μM    29 nM  14 μM >20 μM PT211 7.077 μM    1 μM    50 nM   7 μM    5 μM PT44 184 nM   95 nM  >30 μM   134 nM  >5 μM  92.2 nM  >5 μM PT45  74 nM   11 nM  >30 μM   141 nM   3 μM   10 μM PT46 100 nM    7 nM  >30 μM   130 nM   5 μM  >5 μM PT47 136 nM    8 nM  >30 μM   636 nM  >5 μM   >5 μM PT48  55 nM    8 nM  10.4 μM   107 nM   3 μM  >5 μM PT410  16 nM    6 nM  >30 μM    65 nM   5 μM  >5 μM PT411  41 nM   11 nM  >30 μM   451 nM  >5 μM   >5 μM PT412   18 nM   4.6 μM    50 nM   5 μM    5 μM PT414 209 nM   70 nM   2.7 μM  35.2 nM 1.8 mM 37.3 nM >20 μM PT416  41 nM    3 nM  >10 μM  27 nM   7.1 μM  44.9 nM 1.8 mM >20 μM PT417 196 nM   40 nM 3.30 μM   20 μM PT418  63 nM    5 nM 749 nM    29 nM 2.17 μM  3.9 μM PT419  9 nM    3 nM 749 nM  12.5 nM 13.0 nM  9.2 μM PT420  50 nM    8 nM    9 μM    71 nM 2.52 μM   12 μM PT421  58 nM    5 nM    22 μM   132 nM 4.89 μM   20 μM PT422  >10 μM 645 nM  26.7 μM   235 nM 2.14 μM >20 μM PT423  65 nM   64 nM  >10 μM  28 nM  1.75 μM    7 nM  365 nM 320 pM 3.20 nM >20 μM 12.6 μM <50 nM PT424  >10 μM  95 nM   2.5 μM  36.8 nM  776 nM 7.01 nM  156 nM >20 μM PT425  49 nM   78 nM   7.8 μM 132 nM 511 nM    8 nM  906 nM  13.6 μM  PT426  3.36 μM  19.1 nM 2.10 μM  19.8 μM  PT427  20 nM   10 nM  1.97 μM  20 nM 292 nM  6.08 nM  434 nM  7.1 μM PT428 2.99 μM   20 μM PT429  89 nM    6 nM  4.16 μM    26 nM 1.74 μM >20 μM

Humanized Mouse Model:

The performance characteristics of the compounds are assessed by dosing the compounds in a mouse model with a humanized liver to determine their in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic properties. This model consists of immunodeficient NOG mice (NOD/shi SCID II2rg −/−) harboring a Herpes virus-derived thymidine kinase (TK) transgene under the control of an albumin promoter (Hasegawa et al., “The reconstituted ‘humanized liver’ in TK-NOG mice is mature and functional.” Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2011; 405(3):405-10). A brief exposure to ganciclovir targets destruction of the endogenous mouse liver, which is followed by the transplantation of human liver cells. High level engraftment of human hepatocytes can be achieved and efficient HCV infection established. A quantitative analysis of in vivo PK parameters and efficacy of the compounds and metabolites in the plasma of the humanized mice is performed.

PK and PD:

Cohorts of humanized TK-NOG mice (e.g. 5 mice per treatment group) are gavaged with one dose of compound. Doses are chosen so as to maintain a concentration above the respective EC50s. Serial aliquots of plasma are obtained at baseline, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hr and 2 hr post dosing. Similarly treated groups of mice are sacrificed to analyze levels of the drugs and key metabolites in the liver. Concentrations of compounds and their metabolites are measured. PK parameters, such as Cmax, T1/2, AUC, and oral clearance are determined. Based on these parameters, cohorts of humanized TK-NOG mice (5 mice per treatment group) infected with HCV inoculums consisting of the infectious 2a clone (25) or de-identified patient-derived sera are gavaged (Glenn et al., “In vivo antiviral efficacy of prenylation inhibitors against hepatitis delta virus (HDV).” Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2003; 112(3):407-14) for multiple doses and serial serum aliquots are obtained and antiviral efficacy determined by measuring HCV titers by quantitative real-time PCR. Individually-treated mice can also serve as their own control wherein the HCV titers before, during, and after treatment can be used to assess antiviral efficacy wherein an antiviral effect in indicated by a drop in titer during the treatment phase compared to the pretreatment phase, with (in the case where the virus has not been completely eliminated during the treatment period) or without (in the case where the virus has been completely eliminated during the treatment period) an increase in titer following cessation of treatment.

Assessment of Drug Resistance:

(In vitro) Huh7 cells harboring a bicistronic genotype 1b subgenomic replicon, wherein the first cistron encodes the neomycinphosphotransferase gene (which confers resistance to G418) and the second cistron encodes the HCV nonstructural proteins required for RNA genome replication, are grown in media containing G418 plus increasing concentrations of compounds to select for drug resistant colonies. This, along with extraction of the replicons harbored in the resistant cells, sequencing to identify candidate resistance mutations, and cloning of these mutations back into a wild-type replicon to confirm they are truly causative of the resistance, is performed using convenient methods. In vivo) Inoculums consist of the infectious 2a clone and de-identified patient-derived sera. Once establishment of infection has been confirmed, humanized mice are treated by oral gavage with a resistance-promoting regimen of compounds involving progressive dose escalation from a low dose (0.1 mg/kg/day), with drug holidays. Serum samples for analysis are taken at time 0, and serially thereafter on a weekly basis. The focus is first on any samples that display a rebound in titer of greater than 1 log after a previous nadir. Standard DNA sequencing of individual clones isolated from RT-PCR cloning is performed. Ultradeep pyrosequencing is reserved to determine earliest evidence of any observed resistance. As a control, similar experiments with an HCV NS3 protease inhibitor (e.g. Boceprevir) are performed.

Example 2 Activity of Compound PT423

PT423 exhibits activity against both PI4KIIIα (IC50 1.75 micromolar) and PI4KIIIβ (IC50 7 nanomolar) in in vitro enzyme assays.

To further confirm its mechanism of action the effect of PT423 on PI-4 levels was determined in cells using immunofluorescence to monitor the intracellular localized pools of PI-4. The effect of PT423 on intracellular pools of PIP2 was tested, which were predicted to be similarly sensitive to inhibition using PT423. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 1, a dose-dependent decrease in PI-4 and PIP2 was observed upon treatment with PT423. As a control for non-specific effects on the cells, the latter were also co-stained with an antibody to ER-localized calnexin, which revealed that the effect on PI-4 and PIP2 occurred in the absence of any detectable effects on the ER.

FIG. 1 illustrates that PT423 decreases PI(4)P (top panels) and PI(4,5)P₂ (bottom panels) in a dose-dependent manner. Left panels: uninfected Huh7.5 cells; right panels: HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells. Cells were treated with the indicated concentrations of PT423 or vehicle control, and analyzed by immunofluorescence with antibodies to PI(4)P or PI(4,5)P₂ (green) along with an antibody to calnexin (red) to control for ER morphology.

The concentrations at which significant effects on PI-4 and PIP2 were observed in the target cells parallel the observed EC50 of 365 nM (CC50>10 micromolar) for PT423 against HCV in standard replication assays(Cho et al., “Identification of a class of HCV inhibitors directed against the nonstructural protein NS4B.” Sci. Transl. Med. 2011; 2(15):15ra6). Consistent with its host PI 4-kinase target, resistance was not able to be selected using the HCV replicon system.

Example 3 Microsome Metabolites Study of Compound PT423

To determine the major metabolites of the compound, the compound is incubated with microsomes and analyzed using methods similar to those described by Guo et al., “In silico pharmacogenetics of warfarin metabolism.” Nat. Biotechnol. 2006; 24(5):531-6. The following metabolites M1-M3 were identified in human microsomes after treatment with compound PT423.

Analytical and MS/MS Fragmentation analysis showed that the molecule behaves well in LC/MS. It gives a strong M+H. It is fairly well detected by UV at 280 nm. Its MS/MS is quite simple with diagnostic peaks at m/z 392.

Metabolites: M1 is due to monohydroxylation (ES1, MS2: selected ions m/z 504.1203, 392.0736). The 0 is clearly on the cyclopentyl group. M2 is the desacyl metabolite (ES1, MS2: selected ions m/z 392.0716, 219.0578, 191.0619). M3 is the metabolite formed via N-dearylation (ES1, MS2: selected ions m/z 300.0468).

Example 4

Standard medicinal chemistry quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) approaches are used to explore analogs of PT423 systematically. PT423 exhibits sub-micromolar potency and thus would likely be active in vivo at concentrations achievable with a half-life >30 minutes in animal models. A complementary strategy for improving its activity in vivo involves increasing its biochemical potency to reduce its minimum effective concentration.

The N-phenylsulfonamide and acylamide portions of PT423-like compounds are identified as the critical features driving selectivity and potency. A Topliss-informed strategy is used to gradually increase steric modification to determine the steric/electronic/hydrophobic configuration optimal in each position to improve potency against PI 4-kinase in biochemical assays. Scheme shown below.

For the acylamine position (Scheme A), analysis is already informed by existing SAR data showing that large aliphatic substituents are necessary for selectivity versus protein kinases, and correspondingly the scheme is determines whether hydrophobic (preferred cyclobutyl) or steric/electronic (preferred cyclohexyl) considerations are more important for driving potency with substitution at this position. For the N-phenylsulfonamide position, SAR data is less constrained (other than suggesting the utility of phenyl substituents), and correspondingly the scheme (Scheme B) is a typical aromatic Topliss scheme directed toward determining the optimal steric, electronic, and hydrophobicity configuration with the minimal number of modifications from the parent compound, with a phenyl substituent in the sulfonamide position. Such a scheme will also determine whether the para-hydroxy of PT423 serves any essential function. Modifications found by these schemes resulting in improved potency at either position are combined to see if an additive or synergistic increase in potency is achievable.

Increased potency against PI 4-kinase activity may track with increased antiviral activity, as it has to date. Such tracking will provide evidence that the increased antiviral activity is due to our hypothesized mechanism of action. At some point the enzymatic and antiviral activities may diverge. This could be an indication that maximal antiviral activity depends on some combination of inhibition of both PI4KIIIα and PI4KIIIβ that might be lost as our analogs acquire increased specificity for one of these PI 4-kinase family members. Alternatively, this could suggest that a new antiviral activity has begun to be acquired, such as generating a derivative of our lead that begins to exhibit anti-NS5B polymerase activity by virtue of acquiring features present in nucleoside analogs or non-nucleoside inhibitors of NS5B.

Example 5

The compounds of Table 1 were prepared according to the methods described above. Table 3 shows the results of testing selected compounds for anti-viral (EC₅₀) activity in a HCV genotype 2a in Huh7.5 cells by luciferase reporter assay, for cell toxicity (CC₅₀) and metabolic halflife (t½), according to the methods described above.

TABLE 3 CC₅₀ HLM t_(1/2) Cmpd # 2a EC₅₀ (μM) (min) AB3663 +++ 27.5 AB3664 ++ 58 28.8 AB3680 + 54 AB3737 + 50 46.5 AB3755 + 23.6 AB3756 + 44 158 AB3826 +++ AB3832 + 46 11.1 AB3835 ++ 48 28.7 AB3837 ++ 22 AB3862 ++ 22 27.3 AB3864 ++ AB3867 ++ 41 33.1 AB3913 + 59 24.2 AB3946 ++ AB3948 ++ AB3950 +++ 12 AB3957 ++ 9 AB3977 ++ AB3979 ++ AB4021 +++ 13 3.9 AB4022 + 21 21.9 AB4024 ++ AB4025 ++ 13 AB4050 ++ AB4051 ++ AB4052 +++ AB4053 ++ AB4054 ++ AB4098 ++ 17.9 AB4099 +++ 17.6 AB4100 +++ 16.6 17.7 AB4106 ++ 58.5 AB4107 ++ AB4108 ++ AB4109 ++ 20.7 AB4110 ++ AB4111 ++ AB4112 ++ AB4113 ++ AB4114 ++ AB4115 ++ AB4116 ++ AB4139 ++ AB4140 ++ AB4141 ++ AB4145 ++ AB4162 ++ AB4163 ++ AB4164 ++ AB4165 ++ AB4166 ++ AB4171 ++ AB4173 + AB4174 + AB4178 + AB4179 + AB4185 + AB4225 ++ AB4226 ++ AB4227 + AB4228 + AB4229 + AB4237 + AB4239 ++ AB4240 + AB4241 + AB4242 ++ AB4243 ++ +++: EC₅₀ < 0.2 μM ++: 0.2 μM < EC₅₀ < 1 uM +: EC₅₀ > 1 μM 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of the structure:

wherein: R¹ is selected from an aryl, a heterocycle, and a cycloalkyl; R² is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an alkyl and an alkoxy; R³ is an alkyl; R⁴ is an alkyl, an alkyl-cycloalkyl, or an alkyl-heterocyclyl; W¹ is —SO₂—; and W² is —NHCO—.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is selected from an aryl and a cycloalkyl.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁴ is —(CH₂)_(n)—R¹⁰, wherein n is 1, 2 or 3 and R¹⁰ is a cycloalkyl or a heterocycle.
 4. The compound of claim 3, wherein the compound is of the structure:

wherein: R¹ is an aryl, or a cycloalkyl; R² is an alkoxy; R³ is an alkyl; W² is —NHCO—; n is 1; and R¹⁰ is a cyclopropyl, a cyclopentyl, a cyclohexyl, a piperidinyl or a pyrrolidinyl.
 5. The compound of claim 4 wherein R¹ is of the structure:

wherein A is a 6-membered aryl, or cycloalkyl ring, wherein Z¹¹-Z¹⁶ are independently selected from CR′, and CR′R″, wherein each R′ and R″ are independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a halogen, an amino, an acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro.
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein R² is lower alkoxy.
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein R³ is lower alkyl.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is a cycloalkyl.
 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is of one of the following structures:

wherein R⁴⁴-R⁴⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a hydroxy, an alkoxy, an aryloxy, a heterocycle, a cyano, a halogen, an amino, an acyl, an acyloxy, an amido, and a nitro.
 10. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from one of the following compounds


11. An anti-infective pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 